Evaluation of Anthelmintic Potential of Aqueous Extract of the Stem Bark of Bridelia ferruginea (Benth) Euphorbiaceae
Oladejo Afees Adebayo *
Department of Chemical Science, Afe Babalola University, Ado – Ekiti, Nigeria.
Otunla Babatunde Joshua
Department of Biochemistry, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Bridelia ferruginea is a common plant often used to cure gastrointestinal infections and has phytomedicinal potential. Similar to other medicinal plants, it also has antimicrobial as well as antiprotozoal potential. This study was carried out to access the anthelmintic activity of aqueous extract of the stem bark of bridelia ferruginea by using a model worm i.e Pheretima posthuma (earthworm). In this assay, three different concentrations i.e 25, 50 and 100mg/ml of above mentioned extract were tested in bioassay by observing time of paralysis and time of death of worms in minutes. Piperazine citrate was used as a standard reference compound along with normal saline as control in the same concentration. The results indicated that brideliaferruginea crude extract possesed anthelmintic activity in dose dependent manner.
Keywords: Helminthes, Bridelia ferruginea, Pheretima posthuma, anthelmintic