Abstract

Monodora myristica and Xylopia aethiopica are two spices that have been traditionally used as a vermifuge in Ayurveda. The main aim of the research work was to investigate the phytochemical constituents of the aqueous, ethanol and methanol extracts of the two spices and the anthelmintic activity of the extracts of their seeds against Eudrilus eugeniae. The four concentrations (10, 20, 50 and 100 mg/ml) of each of the extracts from the two spices were studied in the bioassay which involved the determination of time of paralysis and time of death of the worm. Albendazole (15 mg/ml) was used as a standard reference drug in the assay. At the concentration of 100 mg/ml, the aqueous, ethanol and methanol extracts of the two spices showed very significant activities as compared to the standard drug Albendazole (15 mg/ml). The seed extracts of M. myristica and X. aethiopica produced a significant anthelmintic activity.

Key words: Monodora myristica, Xylopia aethiopica, phytochemicals, anthelmintics, Eudrilus eugeniae.