Anthelmintic activity on Mirabilis jalapa L., (Nyctaginaceae)

Abstract

Mirabilis jalapa L. is distributed as an ornamental plant throughout the tropics of the world. The whole plant as well as individual parts is also used medicinally in Ayurveda, Siddha and other traditional system of medicine for curing various ailments. The literature survey reveals that Mirabilis jalapa L. is used to treat various types of diseases like gastrointestinal problems, intestinal pains, muscular pain, diarrhea, abdominal colic, constipation, genitourinary system disorders, helminthasis etc. The present study is therefore aimed at validating one of the ethnomedicinal claims for its use as an anthelmintic. Preliminary phytochemical studies of the methanolic extract of leaves and aerial parts revealed presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids etc. The methanolic extract of leaves and aerial parts of Mirabillis jalapa L. has shown anthelmintic activity on earth worm Phertima prosthuma in a dose dependent manner. Concentration of 30 mg/ml has taken less time to cause paralysis, and little more time to cause death of earthworms which is comparable with Standard Drug Albendazole of 10 mg/ml concentration.