Investigation of in vitro Anthelmintic activity of Ocimum basilicum Linn. (Lamiaceae)
Shagana S*, Navenaa S, Vijay J, Vishali S, Dr. Vadivu Rajendran
College of Pharmacy, Madras Medical College, Chennai - 600003, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: shaganasaravanan58@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
Virudhunagar region of Tamil Nadu is inhabited by common people who are using several plants or plant- based preparations for the treatment of various ailments in their traditional system of medicine. During our course of study on ethnomedicine in this region, it was found that the plant being used as anthelmintic is seed of Ocimum basilicum Linn., (Lamiaceae). This plant has a wide reputation among natives of being curative for intestinal-worm infection in the form of alcoholic extract. Based on this an attempt has been made to evaluate the anthelmintic potential of this plant. The Chloroform and Ethanolic extracts of Ocimum basilicum Linn, (Lamiaceae) seeds were investigated for anthelmintic activity using earthworms (Pheretima posthuma). Various concentrations (25mg/ml, 50mg/ml and 75mg/ml) of plant extract were tested. Albendazole (25mg/ml, 50mg/ml and 75mg/ml) was used as reference standard drug whereas distilled water was used as control. Determination of paralysis and death time of the worms were recorded. The extract exhibited significant anthelmintic activity at a concentration of 50mg/ml. The results show that the ethanolic extract possesses vermicidal activity and found to be effective as an anthelmintic.
KEYWORDS: Ethnomedicine, Ocimum basilicum Linn., Pheretima posthuma, Anthelmintic, Vermicide.
INTRODUCTION:
Helminth infections are among the most widespread infection in humans, distressing a huge population of the world. The majority of infection due to helminths are generally restricted to tropical regions and cause enormous hazard to health and contribute to the prevalence of undernourishment, anaemia, eosinophilia and pneumonia1. Parasitic diseases cause ruthless morbidity affecting principally population in endemic areas2. The gastro-intestinal helminths have become resistant to currently available anthelmintics drugs, therefore there is a foremost problem in treatment of helminths diseases3. Hence there is an increasing demand for natural anthelmintics.
Ocimum basilicum Linn.., belongs to Lamiaceae family commonly known as sweet basil. It is 10-30cm long with hairy stems, growing in normal Tropical areas4. Leaves are simple, opposite, strongly scented and have a petiole and are ovate up to 5cm long, usually toothed. Seeds are enclosed with flowers, dark brownish to balck in colour, oblong in shape and have a mucilaginous nature5. Leaves were useful in inflammation, anthelmintic antioxidant, antimicrobial and snake bite6. Seeds are used as antihyperlipidemic7. Seeds contain Triterpenoids, Phenyl propanes, Steroids, Omega-3 Fatty acids, Eugenol, 1,8-cineole, Tannins, Saponins and Mucilage9.
Virudhunagar region of Tamil Nadu is inhabited by common people who are using several plants or plant- based preparations for the treatment of various ailments in their Traditional system of medicine. Ocimum basilicum Linn., (Lamiaceae) has a wide reputation among natives of being curative for intestinal-worm infection in the form of alcoholic extract by hot percolation. In the present study, an attempt has been made to evaluate the anthelmintic potential of Ocimum basilicum Linn.,
Plant Material:
The seeds of Ocimum basilicum Linn, was procured from Virudhunagar region (Tamil Nadu) in March 2018. The plant and plant material were identified and authenticated by Dr. K.N. Sunil kumar, Research officer and HOD of Pharmacognosy, Department of Siddha Central Research Institute, Arumbakkam, Chennai -600 106.The seeds were shade dried, powdered and stored in air tight container and used for further extraction.
The coarse powder of the seeds were successively extracted with solvents of increasing polarity like n-Hexane, Chloroform and Ethanol by continuous percolation process using Soxhlet apparatus. It was dried and the percentage yield was calculated. Appearance and consistency of the extract were alsonoted.
Anthelmintic activity was studied in adult earthworms (Pheretima posthuma) by in- vitro studies. Earthworms were collected near the farms. The average size of earthworms were 5-7 cm.
Albendazole was used as a standard for the experimental protocol.
The anthelmintic study was carried out by the method of Ajaiyeoba et al10. In- vitro study was performed using adult earthworms (Pheretima postuma) owing to its anatomical and physiological resemblance with the intestinal roundworm parasites of human beings for preliminary evaluation of anthelmintic activity11,12. Test samples of the extract was prepared at the concentrations 25mg/ml, 50mg/ml and 75mg/ml in distilled water and two worms i.e., Pheretima posthuma of approximately equalsize (same type) were placed in each 9cm petri dish containing above test solution of extracts. Albendazole (25mg/ml, 50mg/ml and 75 mg/ml) was used as reference standard and distilled water as control13,14. All the test solutions and standard drug solutions were prepared freshly before starting the experiments. Observations were made for the time taken for paralysis when no movements of any sort could be observed except when the worms were shaken vigorously. Time for death of worms were recorded after ascertaining that the worms neither moved when shaken vigorously nor when dipped in warm water (50oC)15. All the results are furnished in Table 1.
Type of solvent |
Concentration used |
Time take (min)For Paralysis For Death |
Control |
-- |
-- -- |
Standard |
25 mg50 mg75 mg |
32.30±0.46 36.54±1.2028.28±1.10 31.40±1.1425.20±1.50 29.10±1.40 |
Chloroform |
25 mg50 mg75 mg |
24.25±0.56 25.45±1.1021.50±1.34 23.10±1.3217.15±1.56 20.45±1.40 |
Ethanol |
25 mg |
19.50±0.52 22.00±1.24 |
50 mg |
15.05±1.48 19.06±1.30 |
|
75 mg |
13.40±1.54 17.20±1.52 |
From the observations made, higher concentrations of extract produced paralytic effect much earlier and the time of death was shorter for all worms. Ethanolic extract showed anthelmintic activity in a dose dependent manner giving shortest time of paralysis (15 min) and death (19 min) with 50mg/ml concentration. Evaluation of anthelmintic activity was compared with reference standard Albendazole. Preliminary phytochemical screening of extract revealed the presence of Terpenoids, Phenylpropanes, Tannins, Saponins and mucilage.
The experimental evidence obtained in the laboratory model could provide a rationale for the traditional use of this plant as anthelmintic. Our findings confirm that the traditional therapeutic claims for this plant, in near future surely be able to replace the anthelmintic drugs to which there is increased incidence of drug interactions.
CONCLUSION:
The Ethanolic extract of Ocimum basilicum Linn., has shown significant anthelmintic activity. From the above results, it is concluded that Ocimum basilicum Linn.., used by common people traditionally to treat intestinal worm infections, is proved to have efficient anthelmintic activity.
We are thankful to College of Pharmacy, Madras Medical College, Chennai-03 for providing us the necessary facilities to carry out the present work.
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Received on 24.01.2020 Modified on 16.03.2020
Accepted on 09.04.2020 © RJPT All right reserved
Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 2021; 14(1):52-54.
DOI: 10.5958/0974-360X.2021.00010.X