Abstract
Passiflora foetida Linn. (Fam-Passifloraceae) is traditionally used by the tribes and native medical practitioners for the treatment of various ailments including liver disorders, tumors, asthma, itches and dressing for wounds. Folklore claims reported its use in diarrhoea, throat and ear infections, liver disorders, tumours, skin diseases. The present study is an attempt to explore the phytochemical constituents and in-vitro anthelmintic activity of ethanolic extract of leaves. Preliminary phytochemical screening carried on ethanolic extract of leaves showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides (cyanogenetic glycosides), tannins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, etc. High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) analysis was also carried for determination of number of components present. Further, Anthelmintic activity of ethanolic extract was evaluated on Indian earthworms; Pheretima postuma showed significant activity upon comparison to the standard drug albendazole at 10 mg/ml concentration.
