In vitro anthelmintic efficacy of ethno-medicinal plant Annona reticulata L. roots against Indian earthworms (Pheretima posthuma)

Abstract

The present study was envisaged to evaluate the ethno-medical claims of Annona reticulata L. roots for anthelmintic efficacy in vitro in comparison with the standard chemotherapeutic agent, albendazole on adult Indian earthworms (Pheretima posthuma). The efficacy was evaluated by monitoring gross visual motility, paralysis and mortality time and new software based tool, PASS (Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances). Literature confirmed that roots of the plant are rich in aporphine alkaloids and acetogenins. Therefore, study includes investigation and correlation of the biological activity spectrum of the aporphine alkaloids and acetogenins using PASS with in vitro anthelmintic activity. In vitro anthelmintic trials of extract was conducted at 20, 40, 60 mg/mL. The extract was found to be effective at all concentrations but a more significant result was at concentration 60 mg/mL. This could be due to synergistic effect of both the phytoconstituents. However, exact mechanism of action need to be studied.