EVALUATION OF ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF FICUS BENGHALENSIS BARK

The present study evaluated the Anthelmintic activity of Ficus benghalensis bark extract against Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma and compared it with the standard drug Albendazole. The results showed that the extract exhibited significant Anthelmintic activity, as evidenced by the time of paralysis and time of death of worms. The extract also contained various phytochemical constituents, including Phenolics, Terpenoids and Miscellaneous constituents. The findings of this study suggest that Ficus benghalensis bark extract may be a potential natural Anthelmintic agent. This activity was concentration dependent. As the concentration increases the extract produce maximal effect. Higher concentrations of ethanolic bark extract of Ficus benghalensis produce a paralytic effect much earlier and time taken for death was shorter. It shows maximum efficacy at 75 mg/ml concentration than the standard drug. Further studies are recommended to isolate and identify the active principles responsible for its activity. This could lead to the development of new drugs for the treatment of worm infections. The study provides valuable information on the medicinal properties of Ficus benghalensis and highlights the potential of natural products as an alternative to conventional drugs for the management of parasitic infections.