Preliminary Phytochemical Study and in Vitro Evaluation Anthelmintic Activity of Fresh Aerial Parts of Centella Asiatica L.

Abstract

Introduction: Today among various infection that are afflicting human beings, Helminthes infections are the most prevalent type affecting a substantial proportion of the population that exist on earth.

Objectives: In recent years Medicinal plants are witnessing an upsurge in observations and documentation of traditional medicinal practices, as evidenced through a number of ethnomedicinal papers. Among various plants that show promising ethnomedicinal claims, Centella asiatica L. is one of those plants that have ethno medicinal claims against Helminthes. The present study is therefore aimed at validating the ethno medicinal claims.

Methods: The Preliminary phytochemical studies of the extract were carried out for Chloroform, ethanol and aqueous extract. Anthelmintic activity of ethanolic extract was carried out on Indian earthworm Pheretima Posthuma against the reference drug Albendazole.

Results: The phytochemical studies indicated the presence of alkaloids, amino acids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides and starch in different extracts. Significant Anthelmintic properties were observed at higher concentration. The ethanolic extract of Centella asiatica L. caused paralysis in 5.29 min and death in 10.32 min. in 80 mg/ml concentration against the reference drug Albendazole at 40 mg/ml concentration has shown paralysis at 6.27 min and occurrence of death at 12.21 min.

Conclusions: The results suggest that there is an urgent need to isolate and evaluate the active constituents responsible for the exhibited biological activity.