Anthelmintic activity of the crude extracts of Ficus racemosa

Abstract

Th e crude extracts of Ficus racemosa (Moraceae) were evaluated for anthelmintic activity using adult earthworms; the bark extract of Ficus racemosa exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of spontaneous motility (paralysis) and evoked responses to pin-prick. With higher doses (50 mg/mL of aqueous extract), the eff ects were comparable with that of 3% piperazine citrate. However, there was no fi nal recovery in the case of worms treated with aqueous extract in contrast to piperazine citrate with which the paralysis was reversible and the worms recovered completely within 5 h. Th e result shows that the aqueous extract possesses wormicidal activity and thus, may be useful as an anthelmintic. Key words: Anthelmintic, earthworm, Ficus racemosa, paralysis, piperazine citrate, wormicidal