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Abstract

Background and Purpose:

Momordica

charantia

L. (Cucurbitaceae) is used as both food and management of diverse human diseases science ancient time, including in the treatment of worm infection. This study was aimed to evaluate the comparative anthelmintic and anti-oxidant activity of juice and extracts of whole fruit, peels, and seed of

M.

charantia

.

Materials and Methods:

In vitro

anthelmintic activity of methanol extract of whole fruit, fruit peels, seed and fresh juice whole fruit, peels of

M.

charantia

was investigated against Indian adult earthworms (

Eisenia

foetida

). Extracts and juices are also investigated for their anti-oxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH

•

) scavenging assay method.

Results:

Extracts and juice showed potent anti-oxidant and anthelmintic activity. Methanol extract of fruit peel demonstrated strong DPPH

•

scavenging activity (IC

50

= 29.02 ± 0.86 μg/ml), juice of fruit peel also produced good radical scavenging effect (57.30 ± 0.99 μmol TE/ml). Methanol extract of fruit peel showed potent anthelmintic effect which is similar to standard albendazole. Whole fruit and seed extract also produced significant anthelmintic effect. Whole fruit juice and peel juice showed similar but moderate

in vitro

anthelmintic effect.

Conclusion:

The wormicidal activity of extract and juice against earthworms suggests that they are effective against parasitic infections of humans. Results justify the use of fresh kerala juice by traditional medicinal practitioner to cure worm infection, and showed the potential to develop natural anthelmintic constitute from the fruit of the plant.

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113

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117

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