PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND IN VITRO ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF WHOLE PLANT EXTRACTS OF BARLERIA PRIONITIS LINN. AGAINST EARTH WORMS: PHERETIMA POSTHUMA

The present study was performed to evaluate anthelmintic activity of Pet ether, Chloroform, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of whole plant of Barleria prionitis Linn. (Acanthaceae) against Pheretima posthuma worms. Various concentrations (50, 75 &100mg/ml) of Pet ether, Chloroform, ethanolic and aqueous extracts were evaluated in the bioassay involving determination of time of paralysis (P) and time of death (D) of the worms. Albadazole (Std.) was used as standard anthelmintic drug and distilled water was used as control. The results of present study indicated that the ethanolic and aqueous extracts significantly exhibited paralysis (P<0.01) in worms in lower doses (50, 75 and 100mg/ml) and also caused death of worms especially at higher concentration of 100mg/ml, as compared to standard drug. Further studies are in process to isolate the active principle/s responsible for the activity.