EVALUATION OF ANTI-HELMINTICS EFFECT OF NELSONIA CANESCENS PLANT LAM. (ACATHECEAE)
Oguejiofor Ifeoma Judith, Ifebi Hope Morris Nchekwube*, Ezea Charity Chinasa, Ogbue Cyril Onyeka, Nedum ChinenyeHenrietta and Iredu Stella Chisom
ABSTRACT
Natural products play an important role in the discovery and development of new and effective pharmaceuticals. In the present study, we assessed the antihelmintics properties of the leaves of Nelsonia canescence. The pulverized leaves were cold macerated in ethanol for 48 hrs, half of the crude extract was then fractionated using n-hexane, ethylacetate and butanol. Pharmacognostic profile, phytochemical analyses, and acute toxicity were determined using standard procedure. The ethanol extract and fractions were tested for antihelmintics activitiy. The antihelminthic tests were carried out using astandard procedure. Five petri dishes was labeled group 1 to 5 and three worms was introduced into each petri dish. Group 1 and 2 received 10 mls of 0.5 % CMC and 25 mg of Albendazole respectively, group 3 to 5 received 12.5, 25 and 50mg of the crude extract. The worms where observed for paralysis and or death. The mean time for paralysis was noted. The leaves were found to be dark green with acute apex, reticulate veination, and bitter taste. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins and tannins. Proximate analysis of N. canescense revealed moisture content of 7.3 % and ash value of 19.5 %. The plant was relatively non toxic with LD50 ≥ 5000 mg/kg. At the dose of 50mg/ml, N. canescens crude extract and ethylacetate fraction showed a significant (p<0.01) paralysis and the mean time of death was extremely significant (P<0.01). The study has shown that the leaf of N. canescens crude extract and ethylacetate fraction possesses antihelmintics activity.
Keywords: Antihelmintics, Nelsonia canascens, Phytochemicals, paralysis.
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