Vol. 5, Issue 4 (2016)

Methods- This comparative experimental study was done over the period of 3 weeks in Indian adult earthworm due to its anatomical resemblance with the Ascaris lumbricoides. An aqueous extract is prepared from standard method. Albendazole was used as comparator drug; 20 mg/ml concentration was prepared as per the approved method. Each group with six earthworms of equal was released into in each 50 ml of desired concentration of comparator and fenugreek leaves extract in the petridish. 50 ml contained 200 mg/ml of aqueous extract of leaves of fenugreek. Earth worms in the petridish were studied for paralysis /death as end points of our study. The mean time to paralysis/death was recorded and expressed in minutes. The test results were compared with comparator.

Results- Aqueous extract of fenugreek leaves was 144±15 minutes to paralyze and 224±10 minutes to death of the worm, whereas albendazole took 90±12 minutes to paralyze and 155±21 minutes to death of the worms is statistically significant (P<0.05). Fenugreek leaves aqueous extract is more potent than control (NS) and lesser anthelmintic activity than Albendazole.

Conclusion- Aqueous extract fenugreek leaves showed noteworthy anthelmintic activity as compared to control (NS) but less potent than albendazole.