Abstract

INVITRO ANTI-OXIDANT AND ANTHELMINTIC POTENTIAL OF PSYDRUS DICOCCUS

P. Sailaja Rao and V. Ravi Kumar*

ABSTRACT

Psydrax dicoccos Gaertn. (Syn. Canthium dicoccum (Gaertn.) belongs to the family Rubiaceae and was found in all parts of tropical regions of India. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the anti-oxidant potential of the test drug in order to control the free radical generation in many of the acute and chronic diseases. Hence the test drug was determined for anti-oxidant study. Also an anthelmintic activity was also evaluated. The plant extract was prepared by using methanol as a solvent in soxhlet apparatus. Phytochemical screening was done for the test extract. Anti-oxidant efficacy of various concentrations of plant extract was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The anthelmintic activity was performed against earthworms. The MEPD (Methanolic extract of Psydrax dicoccos) showed the presence of various phytoconstituents like alkaloids, carbohydrates, phenolics, flavonoids, glycosides and tannins. The DPPH free radical scavenging effect of plant extract was concentration dependent and was comparable to the standard Ascorbic acid. The methanolic extract of whole plant Psydrax dicoccos showed potent anthelmintic effect at higher concentration as it required less time for paralysis and death as comparable to the standard Albendazole. The results of the study showed that the test extract has potential anti-oxidant and anthelmintic activities along with the presence of phytochemical constituents.

Keywords: Psydrax Dicoccos, Anti-Oxidant Effect, Anthelmintic Activity, Albendazole.