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IntroductionHelminthic infections are among

the most common infections in humanbeings, affecting a large proportion of theworld’s population. In developingcountries they pose a large threat to publichealth and contribute to the prevalenceof anaemia, malnutrition, eosinophiliaand pneumonia. Although the majority ofinfections due to worms are generallylimited to tropical countries, they canoccur to travelers, who have visited thoseareas and some of them can be developedin temperate climates1. The helmintheswhich infect the intestine are cestodes e.g.Tapeworms (Taenia solium),nematodes e.g. hookworm(Ancylostoma duodenale),roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoids) andtrematodes or flukes (Schistosomamansoni and Schistosomahematobolium). The diseases originated

from parasitic infections causing severemorbidity include lymphatic filariasis,onchocerciasis and schistosomiasis. Theseinfections can affect most populations inendemic areas with major economic andsocial consequences. Helminthes alsoaffect millions of livestock resulting inconsiderable economic losses in domesticand farm yard animals. Because of limitedavailability and affordability of modernmedicines most of the world’s populationdepends to a greater extent on traditionalmedical remedies. The traditionalmedicines hold a great promise as sourceof easily available effective anthelminticagents to the people, particularly intropical developing countries, includingIndia. It is in this context that the peopleconsume several plants or plant-derivedpreparations to cure helminthicinfections2. Ideally an anthelmintic agentshould have broad spectrum of action,

high percentage of cure with a singletherapeutic dose, free from toxicity to thehost and should be cost effective. None ofthe synthetic drug available meets thisrequirement. Even most common drugslike Piperazine salts have been shown tohave side effects like nausea, intestinaldisturbances and giddiness3. Resistance ofthe parasites to existing drugs4 and theirhigh cost warrants the search for neweranthelmintic molecules. The origin ofmany effective drugs is found in thetraditional medicine practices and in viewof this several researchers haveundertaken studies to evaluate folkloremedicinal plants for their proclaimedanthelmintic efficacy5.

Most of the screenings reportedare in vitro studies using some wormsamples like Indian earthwormPheretima posthuma, Ascardia galli,Ascaris lumbricoids, etc. Adult Indianearthworm, Pheretima posthuma hasbeen used as test worm in most of theanthelmintic screenings, as it showsanatomical and physiological resemblancewith the intestinal roundworm parasite ofhuman beings6-9. Because of easyavailability, earthworms and Ascardiagalli worms are used as suitable modelsfor screening of anthelmintic drug10-19.These in vitro screenings are importantas they give basis for further in vivostudies.

In the present review, variousscreening procedure and attempts made

Review PaperNatural Product Radiance, Vol. 7(5), 2008, pp.466-475

Ravindra G Mali and Anita A Mehta*Department of Pharmacology

L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380 009, Gujarat, India*Correspondent author, E-mail: dranitalmcp@rediffmail.com; Phone: 09275161224 (Mob.)

Received 27July 2007; Accepted 30 October 2007

AbstractModern synthetic medicines are very effective in curing diseases but also cause a number

of side effects. Crude drugs are less efficient with respect to cure of diseases but are relatively freefrom side effects. Parasites have been of concern to the medical field for centuries and thehelminths considered causing considerable problems for human beings and animals. A largenumber of medicinal plants are claimed to possess anthelmintic property in traditional systems ofmedicine and are also utilized by ethnic groups worldwide. Following the folk claims, severalmedicinal plants have been scrutinized for this activity using various in vitro and in vivomethods. The present review summarizes some important pharmacological and preliminary studieson medicinal plants, products thereof and isolated principles from them, which can be investigatedfurther to achieve lead molecules in the search of novel herbal drugs.

Keywords: Anthelmintic activity, Earthworms, Tapeworms, Hookworms, Essential oil, MedicinalPlants.

IPC code; Int. cl.8— A61K 36/00, A61P 33/10

A Review on Anthelmintic Plants

Vol 7(5) September-October 2008 467

by the researchers to evaluate the efficacyof plant species to discover new possibleanthelmintic molecule(s) and to establishtheir possible mechanism (s) of actionhave been discussed.

Ocimum sanctum Linn.(Family-Lamiaceae)

Commonly known as Sacred Basil(Tulsi) contains volatile oil of which thechief constituents are Eugenol (about 51%), β-caryophyllene (37%) and numberof sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes20.The essential oil and Eugenol showed

potent in vitro anthelmintic activityagainst Caenorhabditis elegans(Nematode). During experiment variousconcentrations of essential oil andEugenol were tested using Levamisole asreference standard. Both exhibited ED50

of 237.9 and 62.1 µg/ml, respectively.Eugenol has been suggested as the putativeanthelmintic principle21.

Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.)Milne-Redh. (Family-Caesalpiniaceae)

Stem bark of this plant is usedin traditional practices to treat dysentery,

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Piliostigma thonningii Butea monosperma Cucurbita maxima

Trachyspermum ammi Punica granatum Capparis decidua

Capparis spinosa Anacardium occidentale Mimusops elengi bark

Cleome icosandra

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snake-bite, toothache and as ananthelmintic22. Following the traditionalclaim, ethanol extract of the plant wasscreened for anthelmintic activity whichexhibited a potent dose dependant activityagainst Ascardia galli infected cockrelsby stimulating the neuromuscularjunction principally and the ganglion to alesser degree23. In another study, an activeprinciple D-3-O-Methylchiroinositolwas isolated by bioassay-guidedchromatographic separation techniquefrom methanolic extract of stem bark ofthe plant and screened for anthelminticactivity by larval paralysis using Levamisoleas a reference drug. Third stage larvae ofHaemonchus contortus from faecalsamples of infected lambs were used inthe study. D-3-O-Methylchiroinositolinduced approximately 60% larvalparalysis within 24h at 4.4 mg/mlconcentration24.

Melia azedarach Linn.(Family-Meliaceae)

A native tree of Persia, India andChina, this plant has long been recognizedas an insecticidal and medicinal plant allover the world. The ethanolic extract ofdrupes was tested for its anthelminticactivity against the tapeworm Taeniasolium (Cestoda) and the earthwormPheretima posthuma (Annelida) usingPiperazine phosphate as the standard drug.The extract was found active against boththe tapeworm and the earthworm tested.Also the activity was better againsttapeworm Taenia solium, than that ofPiperazine phosphate13.

Punica granatum Linn.(Family-Punicaceae)

Locally known as Anar, is

cultivated in all parts of India. The rootand stem bark of the plant is used asastringent and anthelmintic in theindigenous system of medicine. Thealcoholic extract of its stem bark wasevaluated for its proclaimed anthelminticpotential. The activity was found dosedependant, inhibiting transformation ofeggs to filariform larvae of Haemonchuscontortus25. In clinical studies, the plantshowed efficacy against nematodiasis incalves26. The stem bark is reported tocontain an alkaloid, Pelletierine.

Moghania vestita Kuntze syn.Flemingia vestita Benth.(Family-Fabaceae)

A leguminous root cropcommonly found in the North easternregions of India. Its fleshy tuberous rootsalong with the peel are consumed raw bythe tribal people of India to cure intestinalhelminth infections. In a preliminary studythe crude extract of the whole root tubersof this plant was reported to be effectiveagainst Ascaris suum, in vitro27.Tegumental alterations and deformitywere also observed in digenean flukestreated with the crude peel extract of theroots28. Further in one study, root-tuberextract (50 mg/ml) and genistein(0.5 mg/ml), an active principle isolatedfrom the root-tuber peel were testedagainst live parasites (Nematode: Ascarissuum from pigs, A. lumbricoids fromhumans, Ascardia galli and Heterakisgallinarum from domestic fowl;Cestode: Raillietina echinobothridafrom domestic fowl; Trematode:Paramphistomum spp. from cattle).The crude extract and genistein revealedcomplete immobilization of the trematodeand cestode but not against cuticle-covered

nematodes. The treated parasites alsoshowed structural alteration in theirtegumental architecture. The activity of thepeel extract and genistein is attributed tothe changes induced in the tegumentalintegrity of the parasite18.

Mimusops elengi Linn.(Family-Sapotaceae)

In indigenous system of medicinethe bark of M. elengi Linn. is reportedto possess various therapeutic propertiesas cardiotonic, stomachic, alexipharmic,anthelmintic and astringent29. Variousactive principles such as taraxerol,taraxerone, ursolic acid, betulinic acid,α-spinosterol, β-sitosterol, alkaloidisoretronecyl tiglate and mixture oftriterpenoid saponins have been reportedfrom its stem bark. Crude alcoholic extractand its various fractions were evaluatedfor their anthelmintic potential usingPheretima posthuma (Annelida) andAscardia galli (Nematode) as testworms. The crude alcoholic extract andits ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractionssignificantly demonstrated paralysis andalso caused death of worms especially athigher concentration of 100 mg/ml ascompared to standard reference Piperazinecitrate (10mg/ml). The activity wasattributed to the presence of polyphenoliccompounds and tannins in the stem bark19.Tannins are believed to interfere withenergy generation in helminth parasitesby uncoupling oxidative phosphorylationand could bind to glycoprotein on thecuticle of the parasite, thereby may causedeath30.

Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br.(Family-Asclepiadaceae)

In traditional system of medicine

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it is recommended for treatment ofrheumatism, lupus, eczema, asthma,leprosy and syphilis31. The latex has beenshown to possess anthelmintic activityagainst Haemonchus contortusinfection in Najdi sheep in which itdecreased the egg production and thenumber of worms in the abomasum andshowed in vitro larvicidal activity32. Bothfresh and aqueous extracts of dried latexof the plant were evaluated for theiranthelmintic potential using earthwormsas test worms. Both the extracts exhibiteda dose-dependant inhibition ofspontaneous motility and evokedresponses to pin-prick. With higher doses(100 mg/ml of aqueous extract and100 % fresh latex) the effects werecomparable with that of 3% Piperazine.The study suggested that it might beeffective against parasitic infections ofboth animals and humans caused byOstertagia, Nematodirus, Dictyocaulis,Taenia, Ascaris and Fasciola14. Theflowers of the plant were also evaluatedfor anthelmintic activity in comparisonwith levamisole through in vitro andin vivo studies and found to possess goodactivity against nematodes33.

Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.)Bosser (Family-Rubiaceae)

An ornamental plant traditionallyused in stomatitis, eye inflammation andas an anthelmintic. It is reported tocontain triterpenoids, alkaloids andsaponins34. Aqueous and ethanolic extractsof mature stem-bark of the plant werescreened for anthelmintic potential againstearthworms, tapeworms and roundwormsusing Albendazole as reference drug. Theethanolic extract was found potent thanaqueous extract and activity was

comparable with the standard drug usedin the study35.

Capparis decidua Edgew.(Family-Capparidaceae)

It is a struggling, glabrous shrubdistributed throughout greater parts ofIndia. In traditional system of medicineroot bark is documented to be useful inasthma, cough, rheumatism, gout andhelminthes infections. The anthelminticactivity of ethanolic extract of root barkof C. decidua Edgew. was evaluatedagainst adult Indian earthwormPheretima posthuma (Annelida)because of its anatomical andphysiological similarity with roundwormparasite. The activity was found dosedependant, comparable with Piperazinecitrate (10 mg/ml) at the higherconcentration of 100 mg/ml of the extractused in the study36. The root bark isreported to contain spermidinealkaloids37. In another study ethanolicextract of root bark of C. spinosa Linn.was evaluated for its anthelmintic potentialand has shown good anthelmintic activityagainst earthworm Pheretima posthuma.The activity was found dose dependant15.

Xylopia aethiopica A. Rich.(Family-Annonaceae)

The seeds of this plant are usedcommonly in Nigeria by traditionalherbalists to control gastrointestinalhelminth parasites. To verify the claim,anthelmintic effect of the crude methanolextract of seeds was evaluated in ratsexperimentally infected with the rathookworm Nippostrongylus brasiliensis.The plant exhibited activity at dosesbetween 1.2 and 2.0g/kg as measured byreduction in worm counts at necropsy38.

Tannins, flavonoids or terpenoids presentin the crude extract of X. aethiopicaA. Rich. were claimed to be responsiblefor its activity39.

Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntzesyn. B. frondosa Koenig ex Roxb.(Family-Fabaceae)

The seeds are known to possessanthelmintic activity and their efficacy hasbeen reported against ascarids40, stomachworms of the sheep41, Ascardia galli42.In one study, isolated constituentpalasonin, a lactone (C

16 H

22O

6) from

seeds was experimentally evaluated andfound to possess significant anthelminticproperty43. Palasonin was also screenedand found to be effective against Ascarislumbricoids44 and Fasciola hepatica45.In another study, the biochemicalmechanism of anthelmintic action ofpalasonin has been investigated onAscardia galli. Palasonin inhibited theglucose uptake and depleted the glycogencontent in the presence of glucoseindicating that palasonin affects the energygenerating mechanism of the parasite. Italso significantly increased lactic acidsuggesting inhibition of ATP production.The results indicated that palasonin mayact via either inhibition of energymetabolism and/ or alteration in themotor activity of the parasite46.

Gynandropsis gynandra (Linn.)Briq. (Family-Capparidaceae)

Methanol extracts of leaves andstems of G. gynandra (Linn.) Briq.were investigated for their anthelminticactivity using Fasciola gigantica(liverfluke), Taenia solium (Tapeworm)and Pheretima posthuma (Earthworm)as test worms. Both the extracts exhibited

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considerable activity in dose dependantmanner and the order of sensitivity of theextracts to the worms were P.posthuma>F. gigantica>T. solium.The methanol extract of stem was foundto be more active and showed significantactivity compared to Piperazine citrate,standard reference drug used in the study47.

Evolvulus alsinoides Linn.(Family-Convolvulaceae)

It is widely used in Ayurveda aspowerful brain stimulant, aphrodisiac andanthelmintic. Ethanolic extract of thewhole plant material was screened tovalidate its anthelmintic activity usingadult Indian earthworm, Pheretimaposthuma as model animal. The extractcaused paralysis followed by death of theworms at all tested dose levels. At higherconcentration of 100mg/ml the ethanolicextract was found to be more potent thanthe reference control Piperazine citrate12.

Centratherum anthelminticumKuntze syn. Vernonia anthelminticaWilld. (Family-Asteraceae)

Commonly known as Kalijiri isreputed in Ayurvedic system of medicineas anthelmintic. Various extracts of seedshave been evaluated for their proclaimedanthelmintic activity by in vivo and invitro methods. The study was conductedusing Fasciolopsis buski and Ascarislumbricoides and Hymenolepis nanaas test worms. Alcoholic extract wasfound to possess maximum activityfollowed by ether extract while aqueousextract did not show this activity48.The activity was compared to levamisole.In vitro, studies revealed higheranthelmintic effects of methanolic extractas compared to aqueous extract on live

Haemonchus contortus as evidentfrom their mortality. In vivo, screeningshowed a maximum reduction (73.9%)in faecal egg counts per gram with crudeaqueous extract, in sheep naturallyinfected with gastrointestinal nematodes49.

Carica papaya Linn.(Family-Caricaceae)

The anthelmintic potential of theaqueous extract of Papaya was evaluatedusing roundworm Ascaris lumbricoidsand Ascardia galli (Nematodes) as testparasites50. The phytoprinciple benzylisothiocyanate was isolated from theextract as it is an active principleresponsible for anthelmintic activity. Themetabolic pathways in general andcarbohydrate pathways in particular andneuromuscular coordination are the majortarget sites of action of anthelminticcompounds51. The compound benzylisothiocyanate exerted its action byinhibiting energy metabolism and byaffecting motor activity of the parasites,as developed by in vitro studies52. Inanother study, benzyl isothiocyanateisolated from C. papaya Linn. seedextract was tested for anthelmintic activityby viability assay using Caenorhabditiselegans and was claimed as the chiefanthelmintic agent53.

Nigella sativa Linn.(Family-Ranunculaceae)

Commonly known as Kala Jira,is a reputed plant in Indian system ofmedicine for its usefulness in a variety ofailments and possesses carminative,digestive, astringent and diureticproperties54. The anthelmintic potentialof essential oil of N. sativa Linn. wasevaluated against earthworms, tapeworms,

hookworms and nodular worms andexhibited fairly good activity againstearthworms and tapeworms. The activityagainst hookworms and nodular wormswas comparable with that of hexylresorcinol55. The main active principlesof N. sativa are thymoquinone,dithymoquinone-cymene and α-pinene.

Semecarpus anacardium Linn. f.(Family-Anacardiaceae)

It is found throughout the hotterparts of India and its nuts are commonlyknown as Bhilawa. The variousconcentrations of anacardic acid,extracted from the oil of nuts and itssodium salt were tested for anthelminticactivity. Both have been found to be potentanthelmintic agent than piperazine citratewith the same concentration56.

Piper longum Linn. (Family Piperaceae)The essential oil from the fruits

of P. longum Linn. was screened forthe anthelmintic activity against Ascarislumbricoids. The experiment revealedthat its oil has a definite paralytic actionon the nerve-muscular preparation ofAscaris lumbricoids. The activity of oilwas found to be greater than the piperazinecitrate used as standard in the study57.

Commiphora mukul (Hook. exStocks) Engl. (Family-Burseraceae)

Guggul is one of the noted drugsin Ayurveda and Unani system. In recenttimes its demand in therapeutics has beensubstantially increased. The alcoholicextract and essential oil obtained fromoleo-gum resin of C. mukul (Hook. exStocks) Engl. has shown goodanthelmintic activity against hookwormsand tapeworms. The activity was

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comparable to that of reference standardspiperazine phosphate and hexyl resorcinolused in the study58.

Trachyspermum ammi Linn.(Family-Apiaceae)

The seeds,commonly known asAjowan, are used as diuretic, analgesic,anthelmintic and for the treatment ofasthma. In one study seed extract of theplant was screened for its anthelminticproperty in sheep and it producedsignificant results59. The crude aqueousand methanolic extracts of seeds ofT. ammi Linn. were also evaluated forthe ovicidal efficacy by egg hatch test(EHT) on Haemonchus contortus ova.Lethal concentrations (LC

50) values were

found to be 0.1698 and 0.1828 mg/ml,respectively60.

Ficus insipida Willd.(Family-Moraceae)

The latex of some Ficus spp.including F. insipida Willd. has beentraditionally used as vermifuge inCentral and South America. It has beenobserved that anthelmintic activity isdue to a proteolytic fraction called ficinand confirmed by clinical trials61. Inanother study the anthelmintic activity ofthe latex of this species was investigatedin NIH mice (dose 4ml/kg/day), naturallyinfected with Syphacia obvelata,Aspiculuris tetraptrea andVampirolepis nana. But due to highacute toxicity with haemorrhagicenteritis and weak anthelmintic efficacy,the use of latex is not recommended62. Astudy on re-evaluation of risks withthe use of F. insipida latex as atraditional anthelmintic remedy has alsobeen conducted and declared unsafe for

human use63.

Cucurbita maxima Duch.(Family-Cucurbitaceae)

Seeds of the plant are reputed inAyurvedic system of medicine as ananthelmintic especially against tapeworms. The aqueous, alcoholic andethereal extracts of the seeds were testedin vivo and in vitro on trematodes,cestodes and nematodes. The order ofdecreasing potency of the extracts in thein vitro studies was aqueous, alcoholicand ether extract. The kymographic studiessuggested that the seed extracts act bybringing about a decrease in the motilityleading to temporary paralysis64.

Nicotiana tabacum Linn.(Family-Solanaceae)

In vitro and in vivoanthelmintic activity of N. tabacumLinn. leaves was studied to rationalize itstraditional use. Live Haemonchuscontortus were used to assess the invitro anthelmintic effect of a crudeaqueous extract and methanol extract. Forthe in vivo studies both the extracts wereadministered in increasing doses(1.0-3.0g/kg) to sheep naturally infectedwith mixed species of gastrointestinalnematodes. The results of the studyshowed that both the extracts possessdose-dependant anthelmintic activity,justifying the use of plant in traditionalsystem of medicine65.

Cleome icosandra Linn. syn.C. viscosa Linn. (FamilyCapparidaceae)

Commonly known as Hul-Hul,is an annual common weed found all overthe plains of India and throughout the

tropics of the world. In Ayurvedic systemof medicine this plant is believed to haveseveral medicinal properties such asstomachic, laxative, diuretic, anthelminticand considered useful in skin diseases,itching, ulcers, leprosy, malarial fevers66.The crude alcohol and aqueous extractsof the seeds of C. viscosa Linn. wereinvestigated for their anthelmintic activityagainst Pheretima posthuma andAscardia galli. Various concentrations(10-100mg/ml) of each extract were testedin the bioassay, which involveddetermination of time of paralysis and timeof death of the worms. Both the extractsexhibited considerable anthelminticactivity in dose dependant manner. Themost significant activity was observed athighest concentration of 100 mg/mlagainst both types of worms67.

Cannabis sativa Linn.(Family-Cannabinaceae)

The efficacy of crude extract ofits leaves on the motility and morphologyof Fasciolopsis buski was studied usingscanning electron microscopy. In vitrotreatment with 5, 10 and 20 mg/ml ofcrude extract in phosphate buffered salinecaused paralysis of the worm followed bydeath and found to be more lethal thanthe commercial flukicide, Oxyclozanide68.

Trifolium repens Linn.(Family-Fabaceae)

In folk medicine of the Nagatribes of India it is used as a dewormingremedy. The anticestodal activity of T.repens Linn. was evaluated usingexperimental Hymenolepis diminutainfections in albino rats. Aerial shootextract of the plant at the concentrations200 and 500 mg/kg reduced the mean

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fecal egg counts of H. diminuta by 47.72and 54.59% and worm recovery rate by60 and 40%, respectively. Praziquantal,the standard cestocidal drug, reduced themean fecal egg count by 65.90% and wormrecovery rate by 26.67%(Ref. 69).

Strobilanthes discolor T. Anders.((Family-Acanthaceae)

Use of its leaves in the treatmentof intestinal worm infections is a commonethnobotanical practice in the Nagatribes of North eastern part of India. Theanticestodal efficacy of leaf extract wasinvestigated using Hymenolepisdiminuta, rat experimental model. Theeffects of leaf extract were adjudged bymonitoring the eggs per gram of faeces(EPG) counts and percentage wormrecovery rates following treatment withmethanol leaf extract of this plant todifferent groups of rats harbouring H.diminuta infections. The leaf extractshowed significant reductions in EPGcounts as well as in recovery of survivingworms at autopsy. A notable result of theextract’s efficacy was observed against thelarval stages of parasite, where no singleworm was recovered at its 800 mg/kg doseadministered twice daily for 3 days. Effectsof plant extract on adult stages werealmost comparable with that of astandard drug Praziquantel. The studysuggested that the leaf extract of S.discolor possesses significantanticestodal activity and supported its usein the folk medicine70.

Acacia auriculaeformis A. Cunn.(Family-Mimosaceae)

The triterpenoid saponinsisolated from funicles of this plant(Acaciaside A and Acaciaside B) were

tested for in vitro and in vivo activityagainst Microfilariae and adult Setariacervi. The mixture of two saponins hasshown good cestocidal activity71.

Miscellaneous studiesSome workers have reported

anthelmintic activity of essential oilsobtained from plants. In one study, theessential oil of Piper betle Linn. hasrevealed anthelmintic activity against theearthworm Pheretima posthuma, invitro72. The anthelmintic activity of theessential oil obtained from P. betle cv.‘Sagar Bangla’ was also tested againsttapeworms and was found to be better thanthe standard piperazine phosphate and theactivity against hookworm was found tobe greater than the reference drug Hexylresorcinol73. Seed oils of Gynandropsisgynandra (Linn.) Briq., Impatiensbalsamina Linn., Celastruspaniculata Willd., Embelia ribesBurm. f. and Mucuna prurita Hook.were investigated for their anthelminticproperty against Pheretima posthuma.Three concentrations (10, 50 and 100 mg/ml) of each oil were studied for bioassay.Embelia ribes Burm. f. seed oil showedthe best activity as compared to Piperazinecitrate (10mg/ml) included as referencestandard74. The essential oils ofAnacardium occidentale Linn. andCallistemon viminalis ( Soland.)Cheel have been found to possessanthelmintic activity against earthwormsand tapeworms. The activity was found tobe better than reference standardPiperazine phosphate. The oils were alsofound to be effective against hookwormsas compared to Hexyl resorcinol75. Theessential oil of Gardenia resiniferaRoth. syn. G. lucida Roxb. was also

evaluated and showed better efficacyagainst Taenia solium at higherconcentration76.

The in vitro anthelmintic activityof the aqueous and alcoholic extracts ofMelia azedarach Linn. , Ananascomosus (Linn.)Merr. syn. A. sativusSchult. f., Embelia ribes Burm. f. andMucuna prurita Hook. were evaluatedagainst Taenia canina andPhamphistomum cervi. M. pruritawas found more active against thetrematodes77. Ellagitannins and complextannins isolated from the stem bark ofQuercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.showed good anthelmintic activity78. Inone study, different parts of ten indigenousmedicinal plants were screened for theirin vitro anthelmintic activity againstAscardia galli worms of birds.Preparations from Sapindustrifoliatus Linn. and Momordicacharantia Linn. were found moreeffective than Piperazine hexahydrate17.The active principle, solamargine, isolatedfrom the ripe berries of Solanumviarum Dunal was found effectiveagainst Microfilariae and adults of S.cervi71. In one study, the ethanolic extractof Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urbanwas evaluated for antifilarial activity oncanine dirofilariasis (Dirofilariaimmitis)79.

ConclusionAncient classical literature and

ethnomedical surveys described the useof plants in traditional system ofmedicines for the treatment of helminthicinfections. This traditional medicalwisdom is excellent proof of clinicalefficacy and safety of medicinal plants.Present report is a survey of literature

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indicating the screenings of crude plantextracts, essential oils and isolated activeprinciples for in vitro and in vivoanthelmintic studies to substantiate thefolk claim. To conclude, in future studies,there is need for thorough phytochemical,clinical and possible studies on molecularmechanism of action. At the same timeefforts should be made to standardize theplant extracts with good anthelminticactivity and formulate best alternativeherbal preparations to replace orcomplement the synthetic drugs which arecurrently in use.

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17. Lal J, Chandra S, Raviprakash V and Sabir M,In vitro anthelmintic action of someindigenous medicinal plants on Ascardiagalli worms, Indian J PhysiolPharmacol, 1976 20(2), 64-68.

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