PRELIMINARY ANTHELMINTIC STUDIES ON THE TWO VARIETIES OF PUNICA GRANATUM FRUIT EXTRACTS

Abstract

Resistance to anthelmintic drugs has become a big challenge in developing nations as well as developed countries. According to WHO only few drugs are available till yet for the treatment of helminth infection. Helminths can affects any age group of person whether it may be a child or adult. Punica granatum is a fruit bearing plant of family Punicaceae which aims for the treatment of Helminthesiasis, Its English name is Pomegranate. In ancient time its various parts were used to treat many kinds of ailments. In the present study the Punica granatum fruit extracts of two varieties were taken to explore comparative anthelmintic potential. The two were Punica granatum Nashik (India) and Punica granatum Kandhari (Afgan). Isolation and extraction of peel, seed and juice of both varieties were done in laboratory. Only ethanolic extract of Epicarp and seed were taken. It was found that the Epicarp of Nasik variety has great potential for anthelmintic activity and juice possesses no anthelmintic activity. Albendazole, Piperazine citrate and Pyrantel pamoate were taken as standard drugs. Dose of all extracts and standard drugs were taken as 20 mg/ml for in vitro study.