Authors : Datsu Kalip Reuben, Slyranda Baltini Aji, Wycliff Andrew and Fanna Inna Abdulrahaman
Abstract: The traditional use of aqueous extracts of shoots and leaves of Salvadora persica L. and root bark of Terminalia avicenoides as anthelmintics in Northeastern Nigeria necessitated the need to examine these plants. This study was carried out to determine the phytochemical constituents of these extracts and determine and compared their anthelmintic efficacies against those of commercially available anthelmintics (albendazole and levamisole). The preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, sterols and terpens and reducing sugars in all the extracts. Antracenocides were present only in extracts of S. persica L. shoots and the root bark of T. avicennoides. Similarly, flavone aglycones were detected only in extracts of S. persica L. leaves and the root bark of T. avicennoides. Basic alkaloids were detected in extracts of T. avicennoides stem bark and S. persica shoots. The anthelmintic study showed that all the extracts exhibit in vitro anthelmintic activities against strongyline nematodes in a concentration dependent fashion and such effects were significant (p<0.001) when compared to those of albendazole and levamisole at the concentrations used in the experiment. The result of the study indicated that the extracts contained phytochemicals that are known to possess various pharmacologic activities and of therapeutic benefits, one or a combination of which could be responsible for the in vitro anthelmintic effects observed. The study also validated the basis for the traditional use of these plants as anthelmintics in North Eastern Nigeria.
Datsu Kalip Reuben, Slyranda Baltini Aji, Wycliff Andrew and Fanna Inna Abdulrahaman , 2011. Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and in vitro Anthelmintic Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Salvadora persica and Terminalia avicennoides Against Strongyline Nematodes of Small Ruminants in Nigeria. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10: 437-442.