Vol. 8, Issue 2 (2019)

Author(s):
Sonia Singla, VK Kapoor and Satwinder Kaur

Abstract:
Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. Ex. Wendl. (Poaceae), Cocos nucifera Linn. (Arecaceae), Saraca indica Linn. (Caesalpiniaceae) are traditional ornamental trees possess immense medicinal properties. C. nucifera used in chronic fever, in hemicranias, gravels, worms, wound and vomiting, acid gastritis. S. indica used as a treasured remedy for uterine and menstrual distress, uterine haemorrhage, menorrhagia and uterine fibroid. It is also used in leucorrhoea, internal bleeding, haemorrhoids and hemorrhagic dysentery. B. vulgaris Leaves are beneficial in sexually transmitted diseases, measles, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and used to treat various inflammatory conditions. Water preserved in Bamboo tubes used to cure jaundice. The present study explores the anthelmintic potential of 50 % hydroethanolic leaf extract these three ornamental trees at three different concentrations i.e., 20, 50, 80 mg/ml against Indian earthworms (Pheretima posthuma). Time taken for paralysis and death was determined and the results were compared with that of standard drug albendazole (100 mg/ml). Among all three plants extracts Bambusa vulgaris was found to be highly effective against earthworms (Pheretima posthuma) and give significant results. At three different concentrations i.e., 20, 50, 80 mg/ml Bambusa vulgaris cause paralysis in 13.45, 10.52, 08.40 minutes and corresponding death in 20.05, 14.12, 12.30 minutes. At high concentration i.e., 80 mg/ml, it causes paralytic effect more quickly and death time was shorter. Potency of extracts was found to be inversely proportional to the time taken for paralysis and death of individual worms.