ABSTRACT:
The aim of the present study was to evaluate anthelmintic potential of crude extract of root bark of Tabernaemontana citrifolia Linn using Perithima posthuma and Ascardia galli as test worms. Various concentrations (10-100 mg/ml) of the methanolic extract were tested in the bioassay, which involved determination of time of paralysis and time for death of the worms. Piperazine citrate (10 mg/ml) was used as standard reference and distilled water as control. The result of the present study indicated that the crude methanolic extract significantly demonstrated paralysis and also caused the death of worms especially at higher concentration of 100 mg/ml, as compared to standard Piperazine citrate. The preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, tannins and saponins and are supposed to be responsible for the activity. In conclusion the traditional use of bark of the plant T. citrifolia as an anthelmintic has been confirmed and further studies are suggested to isolate the active principle/s responsible for the activity.