Abstract

EVALUATION OF ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF DADIMASHTAKA CHURNA IN PHERETIMA POSTHUMA

Sara Shetty, Bharathi Kalyanam*, Deepthi Swapna and Hasmi Fathima

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Abstract

Background: Helminthiasis, also known as worm infestation, is an infestation or disease caused by parasitic worms. Growing helminth resistance to synthetic anthelminths has prompted the proposal of screening medicinal plants for their anthelmintic activity. A traditional Ayurvedic formulation, such as Dadimashtaka Churna, contains constituents that alleviate intestinal heat and irritation. Objective: The primary purpose of this investigation is to assess the anthelmintic activity of Dadimashtaka Churna in Pheretima posthuma. In order to compare the efficacy of churna to that of albendazole, the time to paralysis and time to mortality were also assessed. Methodology: Five groups of equal-sized Indian earthworms, each containing six earthworms, were discharged into 50 ml of the desired solution. Each group was administered saline (control), Albendazole (20 mg/ml), and Dadimashtaka churna (15 mg/ml, 25 mg/ml, and 50 mg/ml) in varying concentrations. There were observations regarding the time of paralysis and mortality. Results: Dadimashtaka churna of (50 mg/ml) has shown a similar effect in the inhibition of movement and death time which is significantly equivalent to Albendazole (20 mg/ml), whereas the other concentrations of Dadimashtaka Churna (15 mg/ml and 20mg/ml) have significantly increased the time compared to the standard. Conclusion: The results of the investigation indicated that Dadimashtaka churna syrup is equally effective as Albendazole. Dadimashtaka churna accelerated the demise of earthworms in comparison to a synthetic anthelmintic drug.

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