A STUDY ON IN VITRO ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF LEAVES CITRUS AURANTIFOLIA SWINGLE AGAINST PHERITIMA POSTHUMA

Helminthiasis or worm infestation is one of the most prevalent disease and one of the most serious problems in the world. It contributes to malnutrition anemia, eosinophilia and pneumonia [1, 2]. A number of plants have been tested for their anthelmintic efficacy [3]. Citrus aurantifolia swingle is known as lemon plant Rutaceae. It belongs to family Rutaceae [4]. Due to limited availability and affordability of pharmaceutical medicines, species of higher plants are used for the treatment of helminthiasis. According to W.H.O. more than 80% of the world's population relies on medicinal plants [1, 3]. Citrus aurantifolia swingle is an important medicinal herb found as a weed throughout India. It is known by different names such as Nimbuka (Sanskrit), Khatta nimbu (Hindi) and Lemon plant (English). Citrus aurantifolia swingle is an evergreen tree which can reach up to 5m high. The leaves are medium sized measuring 6-9cm long, ovate, bluntly pointed at tips, rounded to cunate at the base. The flowers are white, solitary or in a short racemes, small and fragrant. The fruits are yellow when ripe, globose measuring 4-5 cm in diameter with thinner rind and very sour. [3&4] This plant was reported to contain saponins, Tanins, flavonoida and alkaloids. [5] Saponin A was identified as D-glucuronic acid and Saponin B was identified as β-D-galactopyranosyl ester of D-glucuronic acid. There were no reports on the anthelmintic activity of Citrus aurantifolia S. leaves extracts. This promoted us to investigate and compare the anthelmintic activity of ethanolic extracts of leaves of Citrus aurantifolia S. with respect to standard. Traditionally, the plant is used in asthma. It has various medicinal properties reported such as antimicrobial, antiplatelet, antifertility, immunomodulatory, cytotoxic activity, antithyrokinase, and antiobisity.