Antifilarial activity of ethyl acetate extract of Vitex negundo leaves in vitro.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the possible antifilarial effect of ethyl acetate extract of Vitex negundo (Verbenaceae) leaves against Setaria cervi filarial parasite in vitro.

METHODS

In vitro screening was done by the method of motility inhibition and MTT reduction assay with concentrations of 0.03 to 1.00 mg/mL for 2 to 24 h incubation periods respectively, for possible antifilarial effect by comparing with control.

RESULTS

In motility assay, complete inhibition of motility was observed and in MTT reduction assay which gave >50% reduction for concentrations 0.20, 0.50 and 1.00 mg/mL at 10, 6 and 2 h incubation periods respectively in a dose dependent manner (P<0.05). An antifilarial effect imparted by plant extract was found to be a function of their relative concentrations. Inhibitory concentration (IC50) for the plant extract was found to be 0.16 mg/mL.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study recorded significant antifilarial effect of Vitex negundo plant extract and contributed toward the development of database for novel drug candidates for lymphatic filariasis.