Anticestodial Efficacy and GC-MS Study of Evolvulus nummularius, a Traditionally Used Anthelmintic Plant of North–East India

Background

The whole plant of Evolvulus nummularius is traditionally used to treat helminth infections in Assam, India. This study was taken to evaluate the efficacy of its methanolic extract in suitable models in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

Hymenolepis diminuta exposed in vitro to E. nummularius were also studied for damages to its tegument using scanning electron microscopy. Also, the plant extract’s ability to inhibit AChE activity was assessed. The extract was later processed for GC-MS analysis to detect the phytocompounds present.

Results

In vitro study showed significant efficacy against H. diminuta and in vivo study revealed 76.93% and 71% reduction in eggs and worm counts respectively against juvenile H. diminuta worms, whereas, the extract caused 80% and 79.25% reduction in these parameters against H. diminuta adult worms. The extract also showed to cause 55.73% reduction in AChE activity. H. diminuta worms exposed to plant extract showed deformities in the suckers, tegument, microtriches and suckers. Its GC-MS study revealed the presence of (-)-deoxyephedrine, methamphetamine, 1-(5-methoxy-2-methylphenyl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine, ethyl vanillin, 3,4-dihydroxypropiophenone, and 1-(1,4-cyclohexadienyl)-2-methylaminopropane.

Conclusion

The results infer that E. nummularius possess significant anthelmintic activity and may be used in traditional medicine.