anthelmintic activity of ethanolic extract of cassia occidentalis linn

Int. J. Pharm. Res. Sci., 2014, 02(1), 42-46. www.ijprsonline.com ISSN: 2348 –0882==============================================================================

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Anthelmintic Activity of Ethanolic Extract Of Cassia Occidentalis Linn.Sayyad RR1*, Kare RD1, Jagtap SM1, Katkar ST1, Kadam JH1.

1Department of Pharmacology, SPM’s College of Pharmacy, Akluj, India.* correspondence author:Mrs. Sayyad R.R.,Assistant Professor,SPM’s College ofPharmacy, Akluj,

India.,Email: raziya.shaikh2010@rediffmail.com---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Abstract:The present study was done with the aim to

evaluate anthelmintic activity of ethanolic extract ofCassia occidentalis Linn using adult earthwormPheritima posthuma. Various concentrations (25,50, 75 mg/ml) of all extracts were tested and resultswere expressed in terms of time for paralysis andtime for death of worms. Albendazole was used as areference standard and gum acacia in saline as acontrol group. Dose dependent activity wasobserved in all extracts Cassia occidentalis Linn.

Keywords: Cassia occidentals; Anthelminticactivity.

INTRODUCTION:Helminth infections are among the most

widespread infections in humans, distressing a hugepopulation of the world. Although the majority ofinfections due to helminths are generally restrictedto tropical regions and cause enormous hazard tohealth and contribute to the prevalence ofundernourishment, anaemia, eosinophilia andpneumonia. Parasitic diseases cause ruthlessmorbidity affecting principally population inendemic areas. The gastro-intestinal helminthesbecomes resistant to currently availableanthelmintic drugs therefore there is a foremostproblem in treatment of helminthes diseases. Hence

there is an increasing demand towards naturalanthelmintics [1, 2, 3].

Cassia occidentalis called as Kasmard inSanskrit, Kasondi in Hindi and Coffee Senna inEnglish belongs to family Caesalpiniaceae. It is anayurvedic plant with huge medicinal importance.Leaves of C. occidentalis plant have ethnomedicinalimportance like paste of leaves is externally appliedon healing wounds, sores, itch, cutaneous diseases,bone fracture, fever, ringworm, skin diseases andthroat infection. The parts of the plant used areroots, leaves and seeds. The plant is used for fever,menstrual problems, tuberculosis, diuretic anemic,liver complaints, and as a tonic for generalweakness and illness[4]. The plant is also used tocure sore eyes, hematuria, rheumatism, typhoid,asthma, and disorder of haemoglobin and is alsoreported to cure leprosy. An infusion of the plantbark is given by the folklore in diabetes[5].Previous pharmacological investigations showedthat C. occidentalis leaf extracts have antibacterial[6, 7], antimalarial [8], antimutagenic [9, 10],antiplasmodial [11] and hepatoprotective [12]activity. Chemical constituents isolated from C.occidentalis including sennoside, anthraquinoneglycoside, [13] fatty oils, flavonoid glycosides,galactomannan, polysaccharides, and tannins [14].

The present study was perform to study theanthelmintic activity of ethanolic extract of Cassia


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occidentalis on Indian earth worms (Pheretimaposthuma).

MATERIAL AND METHOD:Procurement of plant material:

The fully mature, fresh leaves of Cassiaoccidentalis was collected from Akluj city, Solapurdistrict, Maharashtra.

Identification and Authentication:The fresh leaves was identified and

authenticated by Mr.D. N. Kutwal, Professor, Headof Department of Botany, S.M.M. Akluj and leaveswas deposited in the Herbarium of the samedepartment.Preparation of extract of leaves of Cassiaoccidentalis:

The leaves were air dried at roomtemperature and converted into fine powder withusing blender. 500 gm of dry fine powder wassuspended in 1.5 liters of ethanol then stirredmagnetically for 24 hours at room temperature. Theextract was double filtered by using musline clothand whatmann No. 1 filter paper. The filtrate wasconcentrated to dryness to obtain crude extract. Thedried ethanolic extracts of Cassia occidentalis wasstored in desiccators under controlled conditions tillit used for experimental purpose.Experimental animals:

Anthelmintic activity was evaluated on adultIndian Earthworms (Pheretima posthuma) due itsanatomical and physiological resemblance with theintestinal round worm of human beings [15]. TheIndian adult earthworms Pheretima posthuma(Annelida) were collected from moist soil of thefield and washed with normal water and salinesolution to remove soil and fecal matter. The Earthworms of 4-8 cm in length and 0.2- 0.3 cm in widthwere used for all experimental parameters.Drugs and Chemicals used:

Albendazole (Glasko Smith Kline) was usedas reference standard purchased from local medicalshop, Akluj. Chemicals ethanol (95% V/V) (S.Dfine chemicals, Mumbai).Preparation of test sample:

Samples for experiments were prepared bydissolving extract to obtain a stock solution of 100mg/ml, from the stock solution, different workingdilutions were prepared to get concentration rangeof 25, 50 and 75 mg/ml of ethanolic extracts (ECO).For present study Albendazole taken as standarddrug. The concentration of standard drug wasprepared in 1% gum acacia to give 20 mg/mlconcentration.Evaluation of Anthelmintic Activity:

The evaluation of anthelmentic activity wasfollowed by earlier reported method [16]. Threedifferent concentrations (as given earlier) wereprepared and the group of six earthworms whichhaving equal size were released into 10 ml ofsample with desired concentration in petridish.Observations were made for the time taken to causeparalysis and death of the individual worms. Meantime for the paralysis in any sort could be observed,except when the worm was shaken vigorously. Theworms neither moved when shaken vigorously norwhen dipped in warm water (500C). Paralysis isassumed to occur when they do not revive even insaline solution. Potency is inversely proportional totime taken for paralysis and / or death of parasite.Statistical analysis:

The results were expressed as mean ± SEMand statistically analyzed by ANOVA followed byDunnett’s test, with level of significance set atp<0.05.

3. Results and Discussion:In the present work, ethanolic extracts of

Cassia occidentalis leaves was used to evaluateanthelmintic activity against Indian earthwormsPheritima posthuma, Each extract containing 25,


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50, and 75 mg/ml produced dose dependentparalysis ranging from loss of motility to loss ofresponse to external stimuli, which eventuallyprogressed to death. As shown in table no.1

Table 1: Anthelmintic activity of ethanolic Extractsof Cassia occidentalis leaves on Indian Earthworms(Pheretima posthuma).

Nameof

Group

Name ofextract &

Concentration

Time takenfor

paralysisin minute(Mean ±

SEM)

Time takenfor deathin minute(Mean ±

SEM)

Group-I

Gum acacia insaline (1%)

--- ---

Group-II

Albendazole(20mg/ml)

34.7±0.55 39.0±0.52

Group-III

ECO(25mg/ml)

62.2±1.70**

70.5±0.81**

Group-IV

ECO(50mg/ml)

52.5±0.56**

64.3±2.40**

Group-V

ECO(75mg/ml)

30.0±0.37**

49.3±0.76**

Values are expressed as mean ± SEM.(n=6), ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test,*p<0.05, **p<0.01 when ECO 25, ECO 50, ECO 75groups were compared with Standard(Group-II).ECO- Ethanolic extract of Cassia occidentalis.

The results of the current investigationindicate that the ethanolic extracts of Cassiaoccidentalis is the most potent and requires lesstime to the paralysis and death of the worms.Extracts showed a concentration dependedanthelmintic property. Chemical constituents

isolated from C. occidentalis including sennoside,anthraquinone glycoside, [13] fatty oils, flavonoidglycosides, galactomannan, polysaccharides, andtannins [14]. Polyphenolic compounds shownanthelmentic activity and some synthetic phenolicanthelmentics are shown to interfere with energygeneration in helmintic parasites by uncouplingoxidative phosphorylation [17]. Tannins possessantiparasitic activity [18]. Reported anthelmenticactivity of tannin that they can bind to free proteinin GIT of host animal or glycoprotein on the cuticleof the parasites and may cause death [19]. It ispossible that tannin contained in the ethanolicextract of Cassia occidentalis leaves may producesimilar effect. From the observation ethanolicextracts of leaves of Cassia occidentalis wasshowed anthelmintic activity. The function of theanthelmintic drugs, like albendazole, is known tocause paralysis of the worms so that they areexpelled in the feaces of man and animals. Theextracts not only demonstrated this property, butthey also caused death of the worms. Syntheticphenolic anthelmintics, like niclosamide, interferewith the energy generation in the helminth parasitesby uncoupling the oxidative phosphorylation[20].Another possible mechanism of action is that theybind to free proteins in the gastrointestinal tract ofthe host animal or to glycoprotein on the cuticle ofthe parasite and by this cause death. Tannins havealso been shown to produce anthelmintic activities[21]. From the observation ethanolic extracts ofleaves of Cassia occidentalis was showedanthelmintic activity. After a brief stimulant effect,earthworm lost their motility of exposure to crudeextract of leaves Cassia occidentalis. Ethanolicextract of leaves Cassia occidentalis exhibitedanthelmintic activity in dose dependent mannergiving short time of paralysis minutes, and time ofdeath in minutes respectively with 75 mg/ml.Therefore potency of drug was found to beinversely proportional to the time taken for


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paralysis / death of worms. The higherconcentrations of ethanolic extract producedparalytic effect much earlier and necrotic spots wereobserved externally on the worms, with higherconcentrations. The effect of each ethanolic extractwas compared with Albendazole as standard drug(20 mg/ml).

In conclusion, the traditional claim of leaf ofCassia occidentalis as an anthelmintic have beenconfirmed as the extracts displayed activity againstthe worms used in the study. Further studies arerequired to isolate and reveal the active compoundcontained in the crude extracts of Cassiaoccidentalis and to establish the mechanism ofaction.Conclusion:

Using the Pheretima Posthuma as theanimal models, we have shown that (ethanolicextract) crude leaves powder of Cassia occidentalishas potential to act against helminthiasis. Moreover,the extent of anthelmintic effect of the leavespowder is comparable to that of standard drug,Albendazole being used against helminthiasis, ingeneral. This observation unambiguously suggeststhat the leaves powder of Cassia occidentalis mustcontain lead compounds that may provide profoundimplications on designing de novo anthelminticdrugs.Acknowledgement:The authors wish to express thanks to Mr. D. N.Kutwal, Professor, Head of Department of Botany,S.M.M. Akluj for identification and authenticationof plant.References:[1] Bundy DA. Trans Royal Soc, Trop Med Hyg, 8,1994, 259-261.[2] Tagbota S, Townson S. Adv Parasitol, 50,2001,199-205.[3] Sondhi SM, Shahu R, Magan Archana. IndianDrugs, 31,7,1994, 317-320.

[4] Krithikar KR, Basu BD. Cassia occidentalis,Indian Medicinal Plants, II edition, 1999,860.

[5] The Wealth of India. A dictionary of Indian RawMaterial and Industrial Products. New Delhi,Council of Scientific and Industrial Research,1998, 350.

[6] Jain SC, Sharma RA, Jain R, Mittal C.Antimicrobial screening of Cassia occidentalisL in vivo and in vitro, Phytotherapy Research,121,1998, 200-204.

[7] Saganuwan AS, Gulumbe ML. Evaluation of invitro antimicrobial activities and phytochemicalconstituents of Cassia occidentalis. AnimalResearch International, 3, 2006, 566-569.

[8]Tona L, Ngimbi NP, Tsakala M, Mesia K, et al.Antimalarial activity of 20 crude extracts fromnine African medicinal plants used in KinshasaCongo. Journal of Ethnopharmacology,681,1999, 193-203.

[9]Jafri MA, Subhani MJ, Javed K, Singh S.Hepatoprotective activity of leaves of Cassiaoccidentalis against paracetamol and ethylalcohol intoxification in rats, Journal ofEthnopharmacology, 661, 1999, 355-61.

[10]Sharma N, Trikha P, Athar M, Raisuddin S. Invitro inhibition of carcinogen inducedmutagenicity by Cassia occidentalis andEmblica officinalis. Drug and ChemicalToxicology, 23, 2000, 477-84.

[11]Tona L, Cimanga RK, Mesia K, Musuamba CT,et al. In vitro antiplasmodial activity of extractsand fractions from seven medicinal plants usedin the Democratic Republic of Congo. Journalof Ethnopharmacology, 93,2004, 27-32.

[12]Yadav JP, Arya V, Yadav S, Panghal M, et al.Cassia occidentalis: A review on itsethnobotany, phytochemical andpharmacological process. Fitoterapia, 2009, 9-8.

[13] Yadav JP, Arya V, Yadav S, Panghal M, et al.Fitoterapia, 81,4, 2010, 223-230.

[14] Lal J, Gupta PC. Experientia,30,1974, 850-1.


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[15]Vidyarthi RD. A Text book of Zoology,14thEdition, S. Chand and Co., New Delhi, 1967,45.

[16] Bhusan M, Pawar, Nayana D, Int. J. PharmaTech Res,2,2,2010, 1483-1487.[17] Nirmal SA. J. Sci. Technol. 29, 3, 2007, 755-757.[18] Wei Li. Afr. J. Agri. Res.4,9, 2009,898-902.[19] Trapti R, Vijay B. Komal M. Aswar PB. AsianJ.Res.Chem. 2,2,2009, 181-182.[20] Athnasiadou S, Kyriazakis I, Jackson F, Coop

RL. Direct anthelmintic effects of condensedtannins towards different gastrointestinalnematodes of sheep: In vitro and in vivostudies, Veterinary Parasitol, 99, 2001, 205-19.

[21] Martin RJ. Mode of action of anthelminticdrugs. Veterinary Journal,154,1997, 11-34.

anthelmintic activity of ethanolic extract of cassia occidentalis linn

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