Albendazole Lab Report

ABSTRACT

The N-hexane, ethyl ether and ethanol extracts of leaves of Gossypium herbaceum L was investigated for anthelmintic activity using earthworms (Pheretima posthuma). Various concentrations (10, 20, 40, 60, 80 & 100 mg/ml) of plant extracts were tested in the bioassay. Albendazole (10 mg/ml) was used as reference standard drug whereas 1% v/v tween 80 as control. Determination of paralysis time and death time of the worms were recorded. The ethyl ether and ethanol extracts exhibited significant anthelmintic activity at highest concentration of 60, 80 & 100 mg/ml compared to standard drug. The result shows that ethyl ether extract possesses potent vermicidal activity and found to be effective as an anthelmintic compared to ethanolic extract.

The action is more specific to parasitic beta-tubulin than that of host. Immobilisation & death of parasites occur slowly and they produce many biochemical changes in susceptible Nematodes Inhibition of mitochondial fumarate reductase, reduced glucose transport and uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. The ethyl ether and ethanolic extract of gossypium herbaceum demonstrated paralysis as well as death of worms in a less time as compared to albendazole especially at higher concentration of 100 mg/ml. While hexane extract has shown no significant activity. Preliminary phytochemical screening of hexane extract revealed the presence of steroids while ethyl ether and ethanol extracts showed presence of glycosides, alkaloids, flavanoids, tannins and phenolic compounds. Earlier studies proved that the polyphenolic compounds show anthelmintic activity (Niezen et al 1995) and some synthetic phenolic anthelmintics e.g. niclosamide, oxyclozanide and bithionol are shown to interfere with energy generation in helminth parasites by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation (Martin 1997). polyphenols from bryophytes were shown to have anthelmintic activity against Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Gamenara et al 2001). Another possible anthelmintic effect of tannins is that they can bind to free proteins in the gastrointestinal tract of host animal (Athnasiadou et al 2001) or glycoprotein on the cuticle of the parasite (Thompson et al 1995) and cause