Assessment of Phytochemical and Anthelmintic Activity of Some Selected Ethnomedicinal Plants from Barak Valley Region of Assam

Since ancient times it has been observed that the ethnomedicinal knowledge is backbone of rural healthcare. The traditional healers of Barak Valley region of Assam used traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases including helminths infection. Hence the current study was planned to explore the traditional medicines namely Justicia adhatoda, Vernonia amygdalina, Mikania micrantha and Momordica charantia used as anthelmintic activity by the local people of Barak Valley region of Assam. The decoction of leaves of Justicia adhatoda, Vernonia amygdalina, Mikania micrantha and Momordica charantia were prepared for the phytochemical studies and anthelmintic activity. The phytochemical study demonstrated the presence of flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, alkaloids and glycosides in Justicia adhatoda, Vernonia amygdalina, Mikania micrantha and Momordica charantia. The Justicia adhatoda, Vernonia amygdalina, Mikania micrantha and Momordica charantia showed significant anthelmintic activity by inducing mortality of earthworm Pheritima posthuma. The above findings confirmed the ethnobotanical uses of these plants as an anthelmintic by local people of Barak Valley area of Assam.