Introduction: Helminthiasis is one of the most prevalent parasitic infestations globally accounting for major threat to public health. Conventionally only few anthelmintic drugs are available for the control of these nematodes. However, emerging resistance and toxicities to these currently available drugs is a major concern and discovery of newer anthelmintics with a novel mode of action is the need of the hour.

Aims and Objectives: The present study is aimed to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of ethanolic extract of Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. on Indian earthworms (Pheretimaposthuma).

Materials and Methods: The earthworms were divided into 4 groups with 6 worms in each group. The anthelmintic activity of EEIA at two different concentrations (25 mg/ml & 50 mg/ml) was evaluated by assessing the time of paralysis and time of death of the worms. Albendazole was used as standard & 2% gum acacia as control.

Results: Albendazole at 25 mg/ml showed the highest anthelmintic activity and had significant difference (p<0.001) with EEIA at both 25 mg/ml & 50 mg/ml. Both doses of the test drug showed anthelmintic activity but the extract at either dose was found to be less effective than the standard drug.

Conclusion: Further studies with higher doses of the extract should be done to evaluate the anthelmintic activity in a dose-dependent manner.

Keywords: Albendazole, Helminthiasis, Ipomoea aquatica Forsk, Pheretimaposthuma.

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Paonam Shyamasakhi Devi

Department of Pharmacology, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur, India, Pin code: 795004