Abstract
Seeds of Butea frondosa and whole plant of Swertia chirata were investigated for phytochemical and anthelmintic screening. Butea frondosa gave positive test for the presence of alkaloids, steroids and glycosides but negative for flavonoids and saponins. Swertia chirata showed negative results for the presence of steroids and saponins but positive for alkaloids, flavonoids and glycosides. The concentration of alkaloids in Butea frondosa and Swertia chirata was found to be 3.00 % and 2.00 % respectively. In vitro treatment on the live parasites (Haemonchus contortus and Pheretime posthuma) with the crude alkaloids solution (5.00 % w/v) of Swertia chirata revealed complete immobilization of parasites in 3-4 hours and thus exhibited good anthelmintic activity. However, 2.25 % (w/v) solution of Swertia chirata exhibited quite low anthelmintic activity and 1.25 % (w/v) solution did not show any considerable activity. The alkaloid solution of Butea frondosa at concentrations of 5.00 %, 2.25 % and 1.25 % caused death of parasites in 1-1.5, 2-4 and 4-5 hours post exposures respectively. The anthelmintic activity of Butea frondosa was found to be comparable with piprazine. Parasites exposed to control (Normal saline and Tween 80) did not show any remarkable change in physical activity and remained viable even up to 5 hours. The results of the present study revealed the anthelmintic potential of the investigated medicinal plants indigenous to Pakistan.