Seema Garg, Amrish Chandra
ABSTRACT
Present study was conducted to know the anthelmintic activity of colloidal solution of silver nanoparticles using Saraca indica leaves extract. The bio-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometer, transmission electron
microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectrometry. The nanoparticles were found to be spherical in shape and up to 50 nm in size.
It was found that anthelmintic activity of colloidal solution of silver nanoparticles was more than the aqueous extract. Overall the anthelmintic activity revealed the concentration-dependent nature of the aqueous extracts and colloidal solution of silver nanoparticles. Different concentration of aqueous extracts and colloidal solution of silver nanoparticles were tested against adult Indian earthworms (Pheretima posthuma) as test worms. The bioassay involved determination of the time of paralysis and time of death control. Piperazine citrate (10mg/ml) was used as a standard reference drug. Normal saline was used as a control.
Key words: Saraca indica, silver nanoparticles, aqueous extract, Pheretima posthuma, anthelmintic activity.