Comparative Anthelmintic Potential Study of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Leucaena Leucocephala Pod

Helminthic infections are mainly caused by parasites, remain a major public health burden in developed countries, and affect millions around the world every year. In the present investigation, the anthelmintic potential of aqueous and ethanolic pod extract of Leucaena leucocephala was assessed at different concentrations. Antiparasitic medicine, Albendazole was used as a standard drug. The aqueous and ethanolic extraction of pods was performed using hot decoction and Soxhlation, respectively. A different group of adult earthworms (Pheretima posthuman) was used to evaluate the anthelmintic potential of the investigated extract and the time taken to the paralysis and death of worms was recorded as the end point of study. Both extracts at a concentration of 60 mg/ml caused paralysis of worms in a shorter time compared with standard drugs. Thereafter, the death of worms was observed. The result demonstrated that both aqueous and ethanolic extract of Leucaena leucocephala pod would be used as an anthelmintic drug. The phytochemical screening and microscopic study were also performed to understand the plant's cellular structures. The present investigation elucidates the active compounds of the extract responsible for deworming this conclusion.