Evaluation of Anthelmintic Activity of Aqueous Extract of Casuarina equisetifolia Inflorescence (IA) and Pollen Grains (Seeds: SA) in Indian Adult Earthworm

Among the most common infections of thedigestive system in human beings are helminth infections. In the developing countries, they pose a large threat to the society. Such parasitic diseases cause severe morbidity, including lymphatic filariasis, onchoserciasis and schistosomiasis. Many traditional plants and herbs are reported to have anthelmintic activity. Casuarina equisetifolia belongs to the family of Casuarinaceae has a long history of traditional use as an anthelmintic. All parts of the plant are a rich source of medicinally useful components eg: coughs, nervous disorders, anticancer, hypoglycemic, antispasmodic, ulcers, diarrhea, gonorrhea, constipation, antibacterial activity, antifungal, etc. The Present study is an attempt to evaluate anthelmintic activity of aqueous extract of Inflorescence (IA) and Pollen grains (Seeds: SA) of Casuarina equisetifolia were investigated on adult Indian earthworms Pheretima posthuma (Pheritimidae) as test worms. The plant extracts at various concentrations i.e. 25mg/mL, 50mg/mL and 100mg/mL were tested in the bioassay. Piperazine citrate (10 mg/mL) was used as a reference standard drug whereas distilled water was used as a control. The bioassay involved the determination of the time of paralysis and time of death control of the worms. The results obtained from this study strongly support the traditional anthelmintic use of Casuarina equisetifolia of aqueous extract of Inflorescence (IA) and Pollen grains (Seeds: SA).