Effect of various extracts of Ocimum sanctum and Mallotus phillipensis on Setaria digitata

Introduction: The anthelmintic activity of various extracts of leaves of Ocimum sanctum and Mallotus phillipensis was assessed in vitro against Setaria digitata. Materials and Methods: The leaves of Ocimum sanctum and Mallotus phillipensis were collected and were extracted using methanol, dried and stored under refrigeration till further use. The aqueous extract was taken as a decoction. The methanolic extract was further fractionated by taking solvents of increasing polarity viz, hexane, chloroform, n-butanol and water. The extract as well as the fractions were analysed qualitatively for various phytochemical constituents. Fresh nematodes (Setaria digitata) were recovered manually from the peritoneum of infested buffalo, were washed and transferred to the extract containing petriplates (concentrations of 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125 and 1.56 mg/ml) immediately and the motility/death of Setaria digitata was noted. Results: The presence of flavonoids and tannins were detected in all the extracts where was phenolics as absent in the hexane fraction. The methanolic extract of Tulsi and Kamla produced death of nematodes in concentrations of 3.125 mg/ml and the extract of tulsi was found to be more potent. Similar results were also observed in the case of hydro alcoholic extract whereas the aqueous extract showed no effect. The chloroform fraction of Ocimum sanctum and n-butanol and chloroform fractions of Mallotus were equally potent in inhibiting the motility and producing death of the worms. The control drug, albendazole produced death in 30 minutes in both the concentrations. Conclusion: It could be concluded that higher doses of the extract are as potent as albendazole.