The anthelmintic potential of various extract of Gymnema sylvestre and Swertia chirata were evaluated taking Indian adult earthworms as models (Pheretima posthuma). Two concentrations (20mg/ml, 40mg/ml) of each extract were tested and results were expressed in terms of time taken for paralysis and death of the worms. Piperazine citrate (20mg/ml) was used as standard drug and normal saline as control. Both the plant extracts showed anthelmintic activity among which the methanolic extract of G. sylvestre was found to be more potent (paralysis 2.66 ± 0.30min, death 5.83 ± 0.30min) at a concentration of 40mg/ml. phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins and flavonoids which may be responsible for the anthelmintic potential of the above plants.
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