Pharmacological Evaluation of Oxalis corniculata Linn for Anthelmintic Activity

The present study aimed at the in-vitro comparative study of anthelmintic activity of petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of whole plant of Oxalis corniculata Linn. using Eisenia foetida at three different concentrations (100, 200, and 400 mg/ml) respectively. The study involved the determination of time of paralysis (P) and time of death (D) of the worms. At the concentration of 400 mg/ml all the extracts showed very significant activities as compared to the standard drug levamisole (0.55 mg/ml). Each extract with the dose 100, 200, and 400 mg/ml, produced dosedependent paralysis ranging from loss of motility to loss of response to external stimuli, which gradually progressed to death. In case of methanol extract which was found to be most potent, the time of paralysis and death time was observed as 11.33 and 41.33 min, respectively. In conclusion, the use of O. corniculata as possible anthelmintic is explored and further studies are suggested to isolate the active principles responsible for the activity.