In-vitro Anthelmintic Activity of Stem Bark Extracts of Saraca indica Roxb. against Pheretima posthuma

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of ethanolic and methanolic extracts of bark of Saraca indica Roxb. using Pheretima posthuma as test worms. The time of paralysis and time of death were studied and the activity was compared with piperazine citrate as reference standard. The ethanolic and methanolic extracts of bark of Saraca indica Roxb. exhibited significant anthelmintic activity as evidenced by decreased paralyzing time and death time. The results thus support the use of Saraca indica Roxb. as an anthelmintic agent. The presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavanoids, terpenoids, tannins seems to be the responsible phytoconstituents for demonstrating anthelmintic activity.