In-vitro anthelmintic activity of root of Clitoria ternatea Linn

The present study was undertaken to evaluate anthelmintic activity of crude alcoholic extract of Clitoria ternatea Linn belonging to Fabaceae family & its different fractions namely Petroleum ether, Ethyl acetate and Methanol using Pheretima posthuma as test worms. Various concentrations (10-50 mg/ml) of alcoholic extracts 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 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 methanol fractions significantly demonstrated paralysis and also caused death of worms especially at higher concentration of 50 mg/ml, as compared to standard reference piperazine citrate. Further studies are in process to isolate the active principle/s responsible for the activity.