Anti-bacterial and anthelmintic effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Aristolochia indica L.

Objective: To explore the efficacy of ethanolic leaf extract of Aristolochia indica L. in bacterial and worm infections using experimental models. Methods: Preliminary phytochemical screening was evaluated by following standard procedure. Antibacterial activity was carried out by disc diffusion method and anthelmintic effect of the plant extract was determined based on time taken for paralysis and death of Haemonchus contortus. Results: Phytochemical analysis of the plant extract indicated the presence of carbohydrates, reducing sugars, combined reducing sugars, glycosides, tannins, alkaloids, acidic compounds, steroids, terpenoids and flavonoids. The extract showed activity against the bacterial strains namely Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillas megaterium, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhae, and Vibrio cholera species at the dose of 250 μg/disc and 500μg/disc in comparison with standard drug Ciprofloxacin (5 μg/disc). In anthelmintic test, the extract showed significant dose dependent decrease in paralysis time and death time of Haemonchus contortus. Conclusion: These results suggest that the extract possesses significant anthelmintic and antibacterial effects that support ethnopharmacological uses of this plant.