Anthelmintic Activity of Latex of Calotropis procera

Abstract

The crude latex of Calotropis procera was evaluated for anthelmintic activity using adult earthworms. Both fresh as well as aqueous extracts of dried latex exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of spontaneous motility (paralysis) and evoked responses to pin-prick. With higher doses (100mg/ml of aqueous extract of dry latex and 100% fresh latex) the effects were comparable with that of 3% piperazine. However, there was no final recovery in the case of worms treated with latex in contrast to piperazine with which the paralysis was reversible and the worms recovered completely within six hours. The results show that latex possesses wormicidal activity and thus, may be useful as an anthelmintic.