An in vitro evaluation of anthelmintic activity of Zingiber zerumbet rhizomes and Cucurbita maxima seeds on Pheretima posthuma model: A comparative study.

Sir,

The geographic distribution of helminthiasis or infection with parasitic worms is cosmopolitan and a large number of people are affected. Parasitic diseases cause severe morbidity, including lymphatic filariasis (a cause of elephantiasis), onchocerciasis (river blindness), and schistosomiasis. These infections can affect most populations in endemic areas, with major economic and social consequences.[1] Our traditional system of medicine has been claiming from time immemorial that different parts of the plants having anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial activity, etc. are used in different types of diseases. During the last century and even now, Kavirajes and Hakims have been using a number of medicinal plants to treat helminthiasis.[2] Pheretima posthuma is a common species of earthworm found in burrows made in moist soil.

The present study compares the anthelmintic activity of ethanolic extract of the seeds of Cucurbita maxima and Zingiber zerumbet rhizomes on P. posthuma model.[3] Earthworms were identified and deposited in Department of Pharmacy, ITM, GIDA, GKP, India.

Z. zerumbet is commonly known as Narkachur (family Zingiberaceae). Rhizomes of Z. zerumbet have been reported to have antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. C. maxima is commonly known as pumpkin (family Cucurbitaceae). Seeds of C. maxima have been reported to have diuretic and anthelmintic activities.[4] Both the plants were authenticated by NBRI, Lucknow, and the specimen nos. are 97374 and 97769, respectively. Albendazole, the standard drug, and ethanolic extracts of both the plants were diluted with normal saline (0.9% NaCl), which is given as solvent control, to obtain 25, 50, 100 mg/ml concentrations. Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) alone served as solvent control. 6 groups of earthworms (n = 6) were taken for the study. In vitro anthelmintic activity was determined and the paralysis time and lethal time in terms of minutes for each was recorded. Statistical evaluation of the data was done by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

From the study, it is observed that Z. zerumbet has shown better activity than C. maxima at a higher concentration (100 mg/ml) compared to standard Albendazole (100 mg/ml). The comparison of death time for both the plants in different concentrations with respect to standard [Figure 1].

Figure 1

Comparative studies of death time of both the plants with the standard

The results established Z. zerumbet to be a more potent candidate as compared to C. maxima. The present study has enabled us to conclude the potential use of ethanolic extracts of both the plants as an anthelmintic against P. posthuma in vitro model. Extensive research is needed to determine the individual components responsible for anthelmintic activity.