A comparative assessment on paralysis and death of Indian adult earthworm (Pheretima Posthuma) by different aerial extracts of Lasia spinosa (Lour) Thwaites

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the paralysis and death of methanolic, ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts of aerial parts of Lasia spinosa against Pheretima posthuma. Lasia spinosa (Lour) Thwaites belonging to family Araceae, locally known as Chengmora in Assamese, is a perennial herb with watery, bitter juice with an elongated or tuberous rhizome and leaves are ethno medicinally prescribed in North-East India to cure helminthes infections. Three different concentrations (25 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml) of each different extracts were studied to investigate time of paralysis and death of worms for its anthelmintic response. Mebendazole was used as reference standard and normal saline as control group. From this investigation it can be concluded that comparatively aqueous extract exhibited paralysis and also caused death of worms especially at higher concentration of 100 mg/ml as compared to Mebendazole, as a standard.