Evaluation of anthelmintic activity of Cucumis pubescens methanolic extract

Helminthiasis, also known as worm infection, is any macro parasitic disease of humans and other animals in which a part of the body is infected with parasitic worms, known as helminths. Cucumis pubescens, also known as kachri, has various therapeutic effects in gastrointestinal pain, used as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and supports immune function. Phytochemical screening of methanolic extract of Cucumis pubescens fruits was carried out using different reagents, which revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavanoids, terpenoids, steroids, tannins, glycosides. Methanolic extract of Cucumis pubescens fruits (MECP) was investigated for their anthelmintic activity against Pheretima posthuma. Various concentrations (1.25-10 mg/ml) of each extract were tested in the bioassay, which involved determination of time of paralysis and time of death of the worms.