Phytochemical and anthelmintic investigation of Dombeya Rotundifolia (hochst) Planch
Abstract
Dombeya rotundifolia (Hochst ) is widespread in Kenya and has many traditional
uses Its stems and roots, for example, are used as anthelmintic, to hasten onset of
labour, as an abortifacient and for treatment of diarrhoea.
The plant material was collected at Gaitura village in Mangu district
Phytochemical studies on Dombeya rotundifolia stem bark show it contained
cardiac glycosides using Kedde s test and saponins using haemolysis test, but
lacked alkaloids and anthraquinones. The chloroform extract yielded lupeol and psitosterol,
which were identified using spectroscopic methods.
Using the egg hatch assay and larval mortality assay, it was shown that the extracts
delayed the normal hatching of strongyle eggs, while killing the larvae at high
concentration The extracts also prevented the normal development of larvae to
adult stage in the larvae development assay. Methanol extract was the most active
in larval mortality assay.
The aqueous extracts relaxed the isolated rabbit ileum The extracts and the
isolated compounds had high activity against Anemia salina.
The present work shows there may be a scientific basis for the traditional use of
Dombeya rotundifolia as an anthelmintic
Citation
Master Of Pharmacy In Pharmaceutical Analysis In The University Of Nairobi,2004Publisher
University of Nairobi. Faculty of Pharmacy