In-vitro anthelmintic activity of Vernonia amygdalina Del. (asteraceae) roots using adult Haemonchus contortus worms

This study was to investigate the anthelmintic activity of Vernonia amygdalina (Asteraceae) which is used by traditional medicine practitioners in Migori County, Kenya using adult Haemonchus contortus worm as a model. 50 gm of ground powder of Vernonia amygdalina (roots) was extracted separately with 300 ml each of methanol, acetone and water. The yields of the extracts were 4.34 gm, 4.67 gm and 4.20 gm for methanol, acetone and water respectively. The anthelmintic activity of 6.25 mg/ml, 12.5 mg/ml and 25 mg/ml concentrations of aqueous, acetone and methanol crude extracts of Vernonia amygdalina (roots), were compared with the effect produced by the standard reference drug albendazole with Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) used as a negative control. Methanolic extract gave the most active metabolite followed by water. Acetone gave the least potent extract. Death of Haemonchus contortus worm was determined within a period of 24 hrs. Vernonia amygdalina (roots) extract had mean mortality of 20-33.3% at 6.25 mg/ml; 23.3-46.7% at 12.5 mg/ml and 26.7-56.7% at 25 mg/ml.  The result indicated that Vernonia amygdalina contains tannins, saponins and cardiac glycosides which are anthelmintic agents this justifies its traditional use in the treatment of helimnthiasis.

Vernonia amygdalina, Haemonchus contortus, In-vitro anthelmintic activity, Albendazole, Migori County, Kenya

Piyush Y., and Rupali S. A review on anthelmintic drugs and their future scope International journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical science, 2011, 3(3): 17-21.

Wahab A, R, R, Lee and S.F Suleiman. In-vivo anthelmintic activity of Neem plant (Azadirachta indica) extract against third-stage Haemonhus contortus larvae from goats. Global Veterinarian, 2001, 7(1): 22-26.

Daniel S.F., and Norman R.F., The value of plants used in Traditional Medicine for Drug Discovery. Environmental perspectives, 2001, 109(1): 69-75.

Athanasiadou S., Githiori J., and Kyriazakis I. Medicinal plants for helminth parasite control: facts and fiction. Animal, 2007, 1(9): 1392–1400.

Luiz R.S.G., Reinaldo F.P.L., and Ulysses P.A. Knowledge and use of medicinal plants.Local specialists in a region of Atlantic forest in the state of Pernambuco (Northeastern Brazil). Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 2005, 1: 9.

Owuor B. O., Ethnobotanical and Phytochemical study of Herbal remedies of Migori District, Kenya. M.Sc. University of Nairobi, 1999.

Agnew A.D.Q. (2013). Upland Kenya Wild flowers and ferns, 2nd Ed. East African Natural History Society, Nairobi, Kenya.

Beentje H.J. (1994). Kenya Trees, Shrubs and Lianas. National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi.

Ombasa O., Karem P.G., Rukunga G., Mbaria J., Keriko J.M., Njonge F.K., and Owuor B.O. In-vitro Anthelmintic effects of two Kenyan plant extracts against Haemonchus contortus Adult worm. International journal pharmacological Research, 2012, 2(3): 113-116.

Egwaikhide P.A., and Gimba C.E. Analysis of the Phytochemical Content and Anti microbial Activity of Plectranthus glandulosis Whole Plant. Middle East Journal of Scientific Research, 2007, 2(3-4): 135-138.

Mariita R.M., Ogol C.K.P.O., Oguge N.O., and Okemo P.O. Methanol Extract of Three Medicinal Plants from Samburu in Northern Kenya Show Significant Antimycobacterial, Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties. Research Journal of Medicinal Plant, 2011, 5: 4-64.

Chinnaperumal K., Abdul A. R., Gandhi E., Asokan B., and Abdul A. Z. Anthelmintic activity of botanical extracts against sheep gastrointestinal nematodes. Haemonchus contortus. Parasitology Research, 2011, 109: 37–45.

Kumar A., Chanda I., and Singh A. K. Extraction and Evaluation of Pharmacological Activity of saponin extract of Plumeria rubra leaves. Pharmacologyonline, 2009, 1: 969-974.

Kokwaro J.O. and Johns T. (1998). Luo Biological Dictionary. East African Educational

Publishers Ltd.

Githori J.B., Athanasiadou S., and Thimsborg S.M. Use of plants in novel approaches in

the control of gastrointestinal helminthes in livestock with emphasis on small ruminants.

Veterinary parasitology, 103:308-320.

Danquah C.A., Koffuor G.A., Annan K. and Ketor E.C. The Anthelmintic Activity of

Vernonia Amygdalina (Asteraceae) and Alstonia Boonei De Wild (Apocynaceae). Journal of

Medical and Biomedical Sciences, 2012, 1(1): 21-27.

Mohd Y. M., Manik S., Saxena R.C., Mohd I. M., Abrar H. M. and Showkat H.B.

Phytochemical Screening and Spectroscopic Determination of Total Phenolic and Flavonoid

Contents of Eclipta alba Linn. Journal of Natural Products and Plant Resources, 2013, 3 (2):

-91.

Harder A. Chemotherapeutic approaches to nematodes: current knowledge and outlook.

Parasitology Research, 2002, 88: 272 – 277.

Eddleston M., Ariaratnam C. A., Sjöström L., Jayalath S., Rajakanthan K., Rajapakse S.,

Colbert D., Meyer W.P., Perera G., Attapattu S., Kularatne S. A. M., Sheriff M.R. and Warrell

D.A. Acute yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) poisoning: cardiac arrhythmias, Electrolyte

disturbances and serum cardiac glycoside concentrations on presentation to hospital. Heart,

, 83: 301–306.