IN-VITRO ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF ALCHORNEA LAXIFLORA(BENTH.) EXTRACT AND FRACTIONS ON TERRESTRIS LUMBRICOIDES: NIGERIAN EARTHWORM
IKE J. C., Ifebi H. M. N., Okoye I. C.*, Elebeke K. C., Onyeka I. P. and Ezea C. C.
ABSTRACT
Background: Alchornea laxiflora is a shrub which is widely distributed through Africa. It is one of the African medicinal plants used in treatment of some illments. Objective: We aim to investigate its antihelmintic activity of Alchornea laxiflora as part of effect to authenticate its oral scientifically. Method: Pulverized leaves (400 g) were cold macerated in claims methanol (1 liter) to obtain the crude extract. The extract was fractionated using liquid-liquid partitioning to obtain n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions. The crude extract and its fractions were screened for phytochemical constituents using standard procedures. Acute toxicity (LD50) of the crude extract was determined using Lorke’s method. Adult earthworm (Terrestris lumbricoides) was used for the antihelmintics studies. The antihelminthic tests were carried out using standard procedure. Five petri dishes was labeled group 1 to 5 and five worms was introduced into each petri dish. Group 1 and 2 received 10 mls of 0.5 % CMC (negative control) and 20 mg/ml of Albendazole (positive control) respectively, group 3 to 5 received 12.5,25 and 50mg/ml of the crude extract. The time of paralysis and death of the worms were noted. Same was repeated for the fractions. Results: At all doses, the extract and fractions showed a significant (p<0.01) paralysis and the mean time of death was extremely significant (P<0.01). Time taken for paralysis and death was significantly greater (p<0.05) in the positive control group. Conclusion: Results obtained from this study proved that crude methanol extract and fractions of Alchornea laxiflora possess antihelminthic activity.
Keywords: Alchornea laxiflora, antihelminthic, Terrestris lumbricoides, acute toxicity.
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