PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDYS FOR INVESTIGATION OF ANTIHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF PUNICA GRANATUM PULP AGAINST ADULT INDIAN EARTHWORM PHERITIMA POSTHUMA

The present research programme was carried out to investigate the anthelmintic activity of the aqueous and methanolic extract of punica granatum pulp against adult Indian earthworm Pheritima posthuma.Various concentrations (50 and 100 mg/ml) of aqueous and methanolic extract evaluated for antihelmintic activity by recording the time required for paralysis and death of worms. Albendazole (20mg/ml) was used as standard. Result indicates aqueous and methanolic extracts of Punica Granatum pulp significantly (p<0.01) exhibited anthelmintic activity in dose dependent manner when compaired with standard. The shortest time required for paralysis and death was observed with concentration of 100mg/ml. aqueous extract showed maximum effect when compared with methanolic extract. Further studies are under progress to confirm the possible chemical constituents responsible for activity.