Evaluation of Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. for Anthelmintic and Antimicrobial Activities

Objective: To study the anthelmintic and antimicrobial activities of the ethanolic extract of Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. Materials and methods: The anthelmintic activity was evaluated on adult Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma due to its anatomical and physiological resemblance with the intestinal roundworm parasites of human beings. The antibacterial activity of the crude ethanolic extract was performed by agar cup plate method. Results: The ethanolic extract caused paralysis followed by death of the worms at all tested dose levels. It was observed that the ethanolic extract of Evolvulus alsinoides is more potent than the reference control piperazine citrate. Potency of the extract was inversely proportional to the time taken for paralysis/ death of the worms. The activity confirms the dose dependency nature of the extract. The results of antimicrobial activity revealed that the extract exhibited activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli but inactive against Staphyloccus aureus and Candida albicans. None of test concentrations exhibited comparable activity with the reference control ampicillin trihydrate. Conclusion: The present study concludes that the plant is also endowed with potential anthelmintic property in addition to its other popular uses in the traditional system of medicine.