title: Anthelmintic efficacy of extracts of Spigelia anthelmia Linn on experimental Nippostrongylus braziliensis in rats.
abstract: Spigelia anthelmia Linn is used as a herb and is a common annual weed of cultivation in open re-growths, on unused land in towns as well as on road sides. The plant can grow to approximately 30 cm in height. The aim of this study was to screen extracts of Spigelia anthelmia for their anthelmintic activity against an experimental Nippostrongylus braziliensis infection in rats. Acute oral toxicity occurred at a dose of 1,140 mg/kg, while anthelmintic trials against Nippostrongylus braziliensis in rats using the aqueous fraction showed a progressive decrease in worm count with increasing dose (10, 13, 16, 20 and 25 mg per kg body weight) (p < 0.05). At 25 mg per kg body weight, the worm count was significantly lower than that at 10 mg per kg body weight (p < 0.05).
authors.affiliation: National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, Nigeria. ocjegede@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Olorunfemi Cornelius
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Jegede
authors.forename: Joseph Ologunja
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Ajanusi
authors.forename: Ambrose O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Adaudi
authors.forename: Rowland I S
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Agbede
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D029541:Loganiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D009549:Nigeria; D009559:Nippostrongylus / Q000254:growth & development*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D010936:Plant Extracts