Elephantopus Scaber Linn: Anthelmintic Activity in Indian Earthworms

Phytochemical screening of the crude extract revealed the presence of flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds as major constituents. Polyphenolic compounds, including tannins, exhibit anthelmintic activity. Tannins, found in Elephantopus Scaber extract, may produce similar effects. Another potential anthelmintic mechanism of tannins is binding to free proteins in the host animal's gastrointestinal tract or glycoproteins on the parasite's cuticle, leading to death. The aqueous extract of Elephantopus Scaber demonstrated superior anthelmintic activity in a dose-dependent manner compared to the standard drug. The paralysis and death time of EEES at 100 mg/ml were nearly equivalent to that of the standard drug albendazole. This suggests that the anthelmintic activity of the Elephantopus Scaber extract is comparable to the effect of the standard drug albendazole.

Autorentext

Dr. Gomathi Swaminathan is a Lecturer in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty. She has been awarded a research grant from ICMR, New Delhi, as well as seminar grants from CSIR, New Delhi, and SERB DST, New Delhi.