title: Cytotoxic and anthelmintic potential of crude saponins isolated from Achillea Wilhelmsii C. Koch and Teucrium Stocksianum boiss.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Saponins isolated from plant sources have a number of traditional and industrial applications. Saponins have pharmacological effects like anti-inflammatory, molluscicidal, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, antidiabetic, anticancer, anticonvulsant, anthelmintic, antitussive and cytotoxic activities. The current work describes the anthelmintic and cytotoxic activities of crude saponins of Achillea Wilhelmsii and Teucrium Stocksianum as these plants are rich with saponins.
  
  
  METHODS
  Brine shrimp cytotoxic activity of crude saponins was determined by Meyer et al. (1982) at test concentrations of 1000 μg/ml, 100 μg/ml, 10 μg/ml, 7.5 μg/ml, 5.0 μg/ml, 2.5 μg/ml and 1.25 μg/ml. Percentage mortality of test concentrations was determined. Similarly, in vitro anthelmintic activity was determined against roundworms, tapeworms and earthworms. Albendazole and piperazine citrate at concentration 10 mg/ml were used as standard anthelmintic drugs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Crude saponins of Achillea wilhelmsii (CSA) and Teucrium stocksianum (CST) had, respectively, cytotoxic activity with LC50 values 2.3±0.16 and 5.23±0. 34 μg/ml. For in vitro anthelmintic activity, time for paralysis and death of parasites (parasiticidal activity) was noted. At concentration 40 mg/ml, crude saponins of Achillea wilhelmsii are 1.96 and 2.12 times more potent than albendazole against Pheretima posthuma and Raillietina spiralis, respectively. Similarly, at concentration 40 mg/ml, crude saponins of Teucrium stocksianum (CST) has 1.89, 1.96 and 1.37 times more parasiticidal activity than albendazole against Pheretima posthuma, Raillietina spiralis and Ascardia galli, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Crude saponins of Achillea wilhelmsii and Teucrium stocksianum have cytotoxic and anthelmintic activity. The crude saponins may be excellent sources of cytotoxic and anthelmintic constituents that warrant its isolation and purification for new drug development.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan. niazpharmacist@yahoo.com
authors: Niaz
authors: N
authors: Ali
authors: Syed Wadood Ali
authors: SW
authors: Shah
authors: Ismail
authors: I
authors: Shah
authors: Ghayour
authors: G
authors: Ahmed
authors: Mehreen
authors: M
authors: Ghias
authors: Imran
authors: I
authors: Khan
mesh_terms: D031162:Achillea / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001156:Artemia / Q000187:drug effects; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006376:Helminths / Q000187:drug effects; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031367:Teucrium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D003603:Cytotoxins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins