Assessment of in vitro anthelmintic activity of Heracleum afghanicum Kitamura leaves

Aim and Objective: The present study was carried to determine the anthelmintic activity of Heracleum afghanicum Kitamura (Umbelliferae) collected from the mountainous region of Karmi, Afghanistan. Material and Methods: Different extracts of H. afghanicum Kitamura were screened for anthelmintic activity against Indian earthworm Eisenia foetida. Different concentrations (2-10 mg/ml) of various extracts were tested, and results were expressed in terms of time for paralysis and time for the death of worms. Albendazole (20 mg/ml) was used as the reference standard and normal saline (0.9%) as a control group. Results and Discussion: Dose-dependent activity was observed in the plant extracts. Ethyl acetate extract was found to be exhibit more activity as compared to others. The anthelmintic activity of H. afghanicum Kitamura leaves extract has therefore been demonstrated for the first time. The efficacy of the extracts may be due to the presence of various phytoconstituents. Further studies on isolation of phytoconstituents and their biological activities in vitro and in vivo are to be carried out.