Evaluation of anthelmintic activity of the essential oils from leaves and rind of Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Correa ver. Bel of family Rutaceae of Pakistan

Abstract

In this study ‘anthelmintic activity of essential oils (EOs), of leaves and rind of Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Correa ver. Bel was evaluated. ‘Adult motility assay’ was employed using Haemoncus contortus adult worms. EO was applied at three levels viz. 10, 35 and 50µL/10 ml in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) plus 10µL of tween 20 (as carrier/emulsifier). Levamisole was used as a positive control at 0.55 mg/ml concentration. Each concentration of essential oils obtained from different plant parts exhibited varied anthelmintic activity. The best dose dependant effect on adult mortality was by EOs from Aegel rind (R² values 0.981) followed by EOs from leaves (R² values 0.86.).  LC₅₀ were 34.92 and 26.65 for rind and leaves EOs respectively. Change in the color of the dead worms was an indicator parameter of the fact that the EOs might have damaged the skin of the worms or after transcutaneous penetration into the body has disrupted the circulatory system by causing constriction of blood vessels. It is concluded that EOs extracted from A. marmelos have anthelmintic properties.