Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
Shade Olusegun-Joseph, T., Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria; Nwannemka Ofodile, L., Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria; Oguntoke, T., Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
Dalbergiella welwitschii commonly known as West African blackwood belongs to the family fabaceae. In the present research study, crude methanolic extract from leaves of Dalbergiella welwitschii was investigated for its anthelmintic activity against earthworms (Pheretima posthuma) and liver flukes (Fasciola species). Three concentrations (100mg/ml, 200mg/ml and 300mg/ml) of extract were tested in-vitro for anthelmintic potency by determination of time of paralysis and time of death of worms. Albendazole (10mg/ml) was used as standard reference. Results showed that the extract 100mg/ml - 300mg/ml caused paralysis and death of liver flukes between 23:03 to 36:25 minutes and 38:15 to 81:06 minutes respectively. While the standard drug albendazole paralyzed and caused the death of liver flukes after 44:06 and 95:03 minutes respectively. Also, the extract of D. welwitschii 100mg/ml - 300mg/ml showed anthelmintic activity against earthworms by paralyzing and causing it death between 37:46 to 52:20 minutes and 101:8 to 180:10 minutes respectively. While the standard drug albendazole paralyzed and caused the death of earthworms after 150:21 and 280:45 minutes respectively. There was clear indication that anthelmintic activity of methanolic extract of D. welwitschii was more potent against Pheretima posthuma than on Fasciola species and comparable to the standard. This study confirms the traditional claim of Dalbergiella welwitschii as an anthelmintic, as the crude methanolic extract displayed anthelmintic activity against the worms used in this study.
albendazole; alkaloid; dalbergiella welwitschii extract; methanol; phytosterol; plant extract; plant glycoside; saponin; steroid; tannin; unclassified drug; animal experiment; anthelmintic activity; article; controlled study; Dalbergia; dalbergiella welwitschii; death; extraction; Fasciola; Metaphire posthuma; nonhuman; paralysis; phytochemistry; plant leaf; screening