In-vitro anthelmintic activity of stem bark of Mimusops elengi Linn.

The aim of present study was to evaluate anthelmintic potential of crude alcoholic extract of bark of Mimusops elengi and its different fractions namely ethyl acetate, n-butanol and methanol using Pheretima posthuma and Ascardia galli as test worms. Various concentrations (10 – 100 mg/ml) of alcoholic extract and its various fractions were tested in the bioassay, which involved determination of time of paralysis (P) and time of death (D) of the worms. Piperazine citrate (10 mg/ml) was included as standard reference and distilled water as control. The results of present study indicated that the crude alcoholic extract and its ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions significantly demonstrated paralysis, and also caused death of worms especially at higher concentration of 100 mg/ml, as compared to standard reference Piperazine citrate. In conclusion, the traditional use of bark of the plant M. elengi as an anthelmintic have been confirmed and further studies are suggested to isolate the active principle/s responsible for the activity.