INTRODUCTION:

Chlorophytum borivilianum (Family Liliaceae) commonly known as Safed Musli found in naturally from east Assam to Gujarat. Due to its medicinal importance large number of farmers took up its cultivation in different parts of the country i.e. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat. It holds very important position in Ayurveda and Unani system where it is mostly used to treat oligospermia, pre and post natal symptoms, arthritis, diabetes and dysuria. The plant is evaluated for biological activities such as antidiabetic, aphrodiasic, anticancer, antioxidant and immunomodulator.^1-11

Enicostemma axillare (Family Gentianaceae) is very bitter plant found throughout India. It is reported for use as antidiabetic, anti inflammatory, antimalarial, hypolipedemic, hepatoprotective, anticancer, stimulant, astringent, diuretic, and are useful in skin diseases. Various part of plant is extremely bitter due to presence of Amrogentian (0.05%). And also contains bitter glycosides, ophelic acid, Gentianana, phytosterol, and tannins, Swertimarine a secoiridoid glycoside, Triterpenoids, n-hexasanol, heptacosane, Myristic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid.

It is used as Bitter tonic, Stomachic and Laxative, blood purifier stimulant, astringent, diuretic. It is helpful in dropsy, Rheumatism, Abdominal ulcers, Hernia, swellings, itches, insect poisoning, and helminthesis. It used for control of Arthrities. It also acts as ethnomedicine for snakebite.^12-14

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Plant material:

Chlorophytum borivilianum roots were purchased from cultivator i.e. Mr. Dharme (Tal. Akot Dist. Akola). The roots were dried, powdered to coarse size and stored in airtight container for further use. The Arial parts of plant Enicostemma axillare (Lam) Raynal with leaves and stems were collected from University area of Amravati, in Vidarbh region. Both plant species identified and confirmed their authentification by Botanist Dr. Prabha Bhogaonkar, Vidarbh Institute of Science and Humilities, (V.M.V), Amravati. The E. littorale were collected in the month of Aug-September. At that time, E. littorale bears leaves and some with flowering tops. The Arial part of plant with leaves and stems were collected, washed, cut in to small pieces. The collected material is dried under the sunlight. Then the dried material subjected to the powder form.

Preparation of the extracts:

The powdered material of each plant was defatted with petroleum ether and extracted using methanol by Soxhlet apparatus. The solvent was completely removed by using rotary flash evaporator to obtain semi solid sticky residues. Preliminary phytochemical tests were performed of each extract to get idea about chemical constituents of plant.^15-16

Worms Collection and Authentication:

Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma (Annelida) were purchased from the Agriculture College of shivaji science, Amravati and identified at the Department of Zoology, Sant Gadge baba university, Amravati.

Table no. 1 Anthelmintic activity of methanolic extracts Chlorophytum borivilianum and Enicostemma littorale

Extract	Concentration mg/ml	Time taken for Paralysis (min)	Time taken for Death of worms (min)
CBE	25	15.33±3.2	61.67 ±14.6
	50	9±1.7	52.33 ±3.1
	100	5±1	46 ±11.1
ELE	25	92.75 ± 1.7	477.75 ±5.3
	50	33.75 ± 3.4	327.5 ± 6.5
	100	24.25 ± 4.1	254.5 ±12.5
PC	10	24.33 ±1.5	64 ± 7.8

All values represent Mean ± SD; n=6 in each group CBE: Chlorophytum. borivilianum extract, ELE: Enicostemma littorale extract, PC: Piperazine citrate

Anthelmintic activity:

The anthelmintic activity was performed according to the method of Ghosh et al ¹⁷ on adult Indian earthworm, Pheretima posthuma as it has anatomical and physiological resemblance with the intestinal roundworm parasites of human beings. Eighteen groups of approximately equal sized Indian earthworms consisting of six earthworms in each group were released in to 50ml of desired formulation. Three groups were prepared as control i.e. distilled water, reference i.e. piperazine citrate (10mg/ml), and third of extracts (25, 50 and 100 mg/ml). Observations were made for the time taken to paralyze and/or death of individual worms. Paralysis was said to occur when the worms do not revive even in normal saline. Death was concluded when the worms lose their motility followed with fading away of their body colour.¹⁸ Results are summarized in Table no. 1.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS:

Preliminary phytochmical testing has shown presence of saponin, steroids, carbohydrates, alkaloids and proteins in methanolic extract of Chlorophytum borivilianum while Enicostemma littorale revealed presence of triterpenoid saponins, phenolic compounds, tannins. From the results it is observed that C. borivilianum extract (CBE) shown potent anthelmintic activity while E. littorale extract (ELE) has taken long period for death of worms. CBE is showing paralysis within 5-15 min while death between 40-65 min. which is comparable with that of reference drug piperazine citrate as death of worms was observed at 65 min. ELE was taken 25 – 100 min to bring paralysis and 4 – 8 hrs to bring death of worms. Anthelmintic activity of Chlorophytum borivilianum may be due to presence of steroidal saponins. Future scope involves need of isolation of phytoconstituents responsible for activity.

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Received on 20.10.2008 Modified on 20.11.2008

Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 2(1): Jan.-Mar. 2009; Page 216-217