ASSESSMENT OF ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF PSIDIUM GUAJAVA LEAVES: AN IN-VITRO DESIGN

Back ground: In the recent years, the use of herbal products has been increasing in developing countries. Psidium guajava Linn. (Guava), family: Myrtaceae is an important dietary plant used traditionally for medicinal purpose around the world. Objectives: The main objective of this research is to investigate the phytochemicals present in leaves and screen the anthelmintic activity of Psidium guajava leaves against Indian adult earthworms Pheretima posthuma. Method: The phytochemical screening was done by following standard protocols. The Anthelmintic assay was carried as per the method followed by Ajaiyeoba EO et. al, with minor modifications. Three concentrations (25, 50 and 100 mg/ml) of extract were studied, which involved for the determination of time of paralysis and time of death of the test worms. Results: It was found that ethanol extract of Psidium guajava leaves exhibited significant anthelmintic activity at high conc. (100 mg/ml). Albendazole in same concentration as that of extract was used as standard reference and saline water as control. Conclusion: Findings of the present investigations confirms that, the ethno-medicinal claim of anthelmintic activity of this plant is genuine. Therefore, it can be used as a source of natural anthelmintic and used in drug formulations for treatment of diseases.