In vitro Anthelmintic and Cytotoxic Activities of Methanolic Bark Extract of Mimusops elengi Linn.

The methanolic bark extract of Mimusops elengi Linn. (Family, Sapotaceae) was screened for in vitro anthelmintic activity against earthworms (Pheretima posthuma) and cytotoxic activity by brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The extract showed anthelmintic activity at all the concentrations of 25mg/ml, 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml. But the potent anthelmintic activity was observed at the concentration of 100 mg/ml. At this concentration, the time required for paralysis and death of earthworms was about 22 and 34 minutes respectively whereas time taken for paralysis and death by the standard drug Pyrantel pamoate at 10mg/ml was about 26 and 38 minutes respectively. The extract also exhibited good cytotoxic activity with LC50 value of 40μg/ml whereas LC50 of vincristine sulphate was 0.078μg/ml. The experimental results suggest that Mimusops elengi Linn has both in vitro anthelmintic and cytotoxic activities.