Evaluation of in-vitro anthelmintic activity of Heliotropium indicum Linn. leaves in Indian adult earthworm

Objective: To carry out an exhaustive study with a view to substantiate the therapeutic potential\udof the plant in terms of its anthelmintic activity against Pheretima posthuma using mebendazole\udas a reference standard.\udMethods: Forty five worms were collected and were divided into nine groups and were washed\udin normal saline before they were released into 10 mL of respective drug solutions using distilled\udwater as vehicle. Different concentrations (25 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL and 100 mg/mL) of the test (MEHI\udand AEHI) and standard solution were prepared before the commencement of the experiment.\udTime for paralysis and time for death were recorded for each group.\udResults: Crude methanolic extract with concentrations of 25 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL, 100 mg/mL\udproduced dose-dependent paralysis. Time of paralysis and death increased with concentration of\ud25 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL as compared with that of standard drug mebendazole. Methanolic extract of\udHeliotropium indicum Linn. (H. indicum) gave shorter paralysis and death time at 100 mg/mL as\udcompared to aqueous extract H. indicum Linn. Results are expressed as mean依SEM (P<0.05) of 5\udworms in each group.\udConclusions: From the investigation, conclusion can be drawn that the methanolic extract of H.\udindicum (Boraginaceae) showed better activity than aqueous extract of the same to treat intestinal\udworm infections. In comparison with the standard drug mebendazole, methanolic extract of H.\udindicum showed significant anthelmintic efficacy