ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF SUB-FRACTIONS FROM THE N-HEXANE FRACTION OF PICRIA FEL-TERRAE LEAVES ON PHERETIMA POSTHUMA

Abstract

 Objective: This study was to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of the subfractions (SF) from n-hexane fraction of Picria fel-terrae leaves on Pheretima posthuma.

Methods: The leaves ethanolic extract of P. fel-terrae solution was mixed with water in ratio of 7:3. The mixture was fractionated with n-hexane by liquid–liquid extraction. The n-hexane fraction was then separated on silica gel by vacuum liquid chromatography with n-hexane-ethyl acetate and methanol as mobile phases. The filtrates with same chromatogram pattern were combined to produce SF of the plant leaves. The SF at the concentration of 0.1% was tested on P. posthuma to evaluate its anthelmintic activity. The anthelmintic activity was determined by observing paralysis and death times of the worms. Pyrantel 0.1% and vehicle were included as positive and negative controls, respectively.

Results: The study showed that n-hexane fraction of P. fel-terrae leaves produced 4 SF, namely, SF1, SF2, SF3, and SF4. The earthworms were paralyzed at 123.00, 130.33, 78.67, 74.33, and 127.33 min when treated with SF1, SF2, SF3, SF4, and pyrantel, respectively. The SF1, SF2, SF3, SF4, and pyrantel also caused the animal death at 156.00, 166.67, 107.00, 101.67, and 140.00 min, respectively. The animal paralysis and death times by those substances were shorter than negative control effects.

Conclusion: This study suggests that the SF from n-hexane fraction of P. fel-terrae leaves has anthelmintic activity on P. posthuma. The effects of SF4 are strongest when compared with SF1, SF2, SF3, and pyrantel.