Anthelmintic and Other Pharmacological Activities of the Root Bark Extracts of Albizia anthelmintica Brongn

G N Thoithi; N Maingi; D Karume; P K Gathumbi; J W Mwangi; I O Kibwage

G N Thoithi Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Nairobi
N Maingi Departmenotf Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P. 0. Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Nairobi, Kenya
D Karume Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, University of Nairobi
P K Gathumbi Departmenotf Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P. 0. Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Nairobi, Kenya
J W Mwangi Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, University of Nairobi
I O Kibwage Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Nairobi

Keywords: Albizia anthelmintica, anthelmintic activity, pharmacology

Abstract

The anthelmintic activity of water, methanol and chloroform extracts of the root bark of
Albizia anthelmintica on strongyle-type sheep nematode eggs and larvae were examined in
viiro. In addition, pharmacological tests were carried out on the water extract to confirm
other ethnomedical uses of the plant. The water extract inhibited hatching of the nematode
eggs as well as development of larvae. It caused larval mortality at moderately high doses.
The methanol extract had no effect on the eggs and on the development of larvae, but had
high activity against survival of the larvae. The chloroform extract was the least active of
the three extracts and it had moderate effect on larval development and larval survival. In
addition, the water extract caused contraction of the smooth muscle of the guinea pig and
rabbit ileum and the rat uterus. The water extract had negative inotropic and chronotropic
effects and contractile effects on guinea pig trachea. The results support the ethnomedical
use of this plant as an anthelmintic and for prevention of hemorrhage after birth.