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In vitro anthelmintic activity and phytochemical characterization of Corallocarpus epigaeus (Rottler) Hook. f. tuber from ethyl acetate extracts

Bulletin of the National Research Centre volume 44, Article number: 33 (2020) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Helminth infections occur in poverty-stricken areas and developing countries with warm and humid environments and where sanitary conditions are poor. Only few drugs are regularly used for the treatment of these parasite infections.

Results

For checking the anthelmintic activity, taking Corallocarpus epigaeus extracts and their composition was done using organic solvents, namely methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate and hexane against Pheretima posthuma (earthworms). Four different concentrations (25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/ml, respectively) while normal saline and albendazole (20 mg/ml) were taken as the control and standard drug, respectively. Time of paralysis and death of the worms were determined. The result depict that the ethyl acetate extract showed finest activity. The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) was found out to be 12.5 mg/ml against albendazole drug (20 mg/ml). The preliminary phytochemical qualitative analysis of the promising ethyl acetate extract showed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, phenol, tannins and steroids. HPTLC analysis of ethyl acetate extract showed 6 bands. GC–MS results analysis of ethyl acetate extract showed 6 bands, the identified compounds were n-hexadecanoic acid and octadecanoic acid.

Conclusion

Identified bioactive compounds were n-hexadecanoic acid and 1-octadecanoic acid which may be useful for the treatment of helminthiasis.

Highlights

  • Anthelmintic activity of the C. epigaeus, extraction was done using organic solvents, namely methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and hexane against Pheretima posthuma (earthworms).

  • Yield obtained from methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and hexane were 4.02%, 2.62%, 4.46% and 3.89%, respectively.

  • Four different concentrations (25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/ml) were taken from the extracts and normal saline was taken as the control and albendazole as the standard drug.

  • Time of paralysis and death of the worms were determined. The result depicted that the ethyl acetate extract showed finest activity.

  • The minimum inhibition concentration was found out to be 12.5 mg/ml. The preliminary phytochemical qualitative analysis of the ethyl acetate extract showed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, phenol, tannins, and steroids.

  • Thin layer chromatography was carried out using different solvent system among which toluene:methanol:ethyl acetate in the ratio of 8:2:1 showed good separation for the ethyl acetate extract.

  • This system was used for the further analysis by HPTLC method. HPTLC analysis of ethyl acetate extract showed 6 bands.

  • GC–MS results analysis of ethyl acetate extract showed 6 peaks and major identified bioactive compound was n-hexadecanoic acid and octadecanoic acid.

  • This compound may be useful for the treatment of Helminthiasis.

Introduction

Numerous helminth contaminations happen in destitution-stricken territory and creating nations with warm and muggy situations and where clean conditions are poor. Today, it is assessed that roughly 33% of the individuals in creating locales of sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and America are contaminated by helminthes (Hotez and Herricks, 2015). The World Health Organization reports that 35% diseases are because of roundworm, which is a typical parasitic worm. More than 1.5 billion individuals or 24% of the total population are tainted with soil-transmitted helminth contaminations around the world (WHO, 2016).

Despite this pervasiveness of parasitic diseases, the examination on anthelmintic medication is insufficient. According to WHO, just couple of medications are consistently utilized for the treatment of these parasite diseases (Chandan et al., 2011). Nonetheless, the devices we at present have for controlling worm diseases are restricted to just four medications. Albendazole, oxamniquine, piperazine, and ivermectin were created to treat helminthiasis (Chirac and Torreele, 2006).Together with diethylcarbamazine and mebendazole, these medications speak to nearly our whole pharmacopeia for battling the most well-known contaminations on the planet (Peter et al., 2008). Helminth diseases ordinarily found in cows can be moved from creature to man; this is known as zoonosis.

The activity of any anthelmintic medication is to either deaden or kill the worm and oust from the body. A portion of the usually accessible medications are albendazole, mebendazole, piperazine thiabendazole and levamisole (Stephenson et al., 1989; Marco et al., 1994; Albonico et al., 2003). Industrially accessible anthelmintics turned into a serious issue around the world. Various restorative plants have been utilized to treat parasitic contaminations in man and creatures. A few investigations have demonstrated that plant species can viably decrease the level of parasite invasion in animals and are promising options in contrast to ordinary anthelmintics that are both reasonable and ecologically worthy (Vidyadha et al., 2010). It has been recorded that conventional healers use plant prescriptions, which give social insurance to 80% of the human populace over a billion people (Kuldeep and Rahul, 2013). Home-grown drugs possess stood the trial of energy for their wellbeing, adequacy, agreeableness and lesser reactions (Subha et al., 2006).

Corallocarpus epigaeus (Rottler) Hook. f. (Cucurbitaceae) is locally known as Jungli suran, and is distributed in tropical and temperate regions of India, Ceylon, Deccan, and South Maratha country. Plant is monoecious, leaves sinuately 3 lobed, calyx lobes lanceolate, corolla dull or greenish yellow, fruit ovoid or ellipsoid, beaked, red except for the greenish base and portion of beak which is 2.5–5-mm long and flowers, and fruiting period June–October (Pandey et al., 2005). The root contains a bitter principle allied to bryonin. A phydroxybenzoyl ester, named epigaeusyl ester, group of terpenoids sesquiterpene lactones viz. corallocarpscalaride, a pyridine carboxylic ester, designated as corallocarpeonyl ester (Ishnava et al., 2015). Different activity of C. epigaeus is reported for different diseases like antifungal (Vasantha et al., 2012), antibacterial (Priyavardhini et al., 2012), anticancer (Bhavani and Leelavathi, 2012), antidiabetic (Gnananath et al., 2013), and antioxidant (Thangavel et al., 2014). The earthworms have been used for the initial evaluation of anthelmintic compounds in vitro. Because of its anatomically and physiological resemblance with the intestinal roundworm parasite of human beings and easy availability. Among the elective techniques, there has been impressive and growing enthusiasm for conventional home-grown deformers in both created and creating nations. Henceforth, the best option is plant-based prescription (Robert et al., 2009). The plants are known to give a rich wellspring of herbal anthelmintics. Ideally, an anthelmintic agent should have broad spectrum of action, high percentage of cure with a single therapeutic dose, free-form toxicity to the host, and should be cost effective. None of the synthetic drugs available meets this requirement (Nisha et al., 2012). Therefore, the present work aims to study the in vitro anthelmintic activity and phytochemical characterization of Corallocarpus epigaeus and their extracts using different organic solvents.

Material and methods

Plant material

Corallocarpus epigaeus (Rottler) Hook. f. (Cucurbitaceae) plant species was collected from the Virpur village in Gujarat in the month of June 2016 (Fig. 1). The tuber of healthy and disease-free plants were used to test the medicinal properties of the plant. The plant specimens (ARIBAS-KBI-1) were identified by Dr. Kalpesh Ishnava (Plant Taxonomist) at Ashok and Rita Patel Institute of Integrated Study and Research in Biotechnology and Allied Sciences (ARIBAS), New Vallabh Vidhyanagar, Gujarat, India.

Fig. 1
figure1

Tuber of Corallocarpus epigaeus (Arn.) Cl

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Preparation of the extracts

The collected plant materials (tubers) were washed in running tap water and dried. It was then grinded properly, and then the powder was sieved with a commercial sieve of mesh size approximately 60 mm to make the particle size uniform and labeled and stored in airtight bottles for further use. Extracts were prepared using exact weighed sample powder (50 g) in the measured volume of solvents (250 ml) each separately like methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and hexane. Extraction was carried out using Soxhlet extraction method and solvent is poured into the round-bottom extraction flask, weighed and placed on the heating mantle. After this, the thimble containing the sample powder (50 g) was placed into the extraction chamber. Lastly, the condenser was placed on top of the extraction flask and all these parts were fixed vertically. Plant extracts were prepared using four different extracting solvents (methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and hexane) separately (Harborne, 1973).

Phytochemical screening

Qualitative assay and quantitative assay for the presence of plant phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, phenol, tannins, and saponins were carried out using standard procedure (Harborne, 1973; Parekh and Chanda, 2008).

Collection of animal and experiment

The assay was performed on adult earthworm owing to its anatomical and physiological resemblance with the intestinal roundworm parasites of human beings. Easy availability of earthworms prompts their extensive use for preliminary in-vitro evaluation of anthelmintic compounds.

Methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and hexane extracts of tuber powder of Corallocarpus epigaeus were investigated for their anthelmintic activity against earthworm. All the test solutions and standard drug solutions were prepared freshly before starting the experiment. Three groups of earthworms of approximately equal size were released in to 20 ml solutions of 4 different concentrations (25, 50, 75, 100 mg/ml) in Petri dishes containing above solutions of extracts. Albendazole (20 mg/ml) was used as reference standard and saline as control. Determination of time of paralysis and time of death of the worm were done. Time for paralysis was noted when no movement of any sort could be observed except when the worms were shaken vigorously. Time for death of worms was recorded after ascertaining that worms neither moved when shaken vigorously.

Thin layer chromatography

The above prepared plant extracts were applied on pre-coated TLC plates by using capillary tubes and developed in a TLC chamber using suitable mobile phase. TLC was carried out to study the principle components that were present in ethyl acetate extract of tuber. The different solvent systems of different polarities were prepared, and TLC studies were carried out to select the solvent system capable of showing better resolution. The best separation of the compound in the system of methanol:toluene:ethyl acetate is 7:3:1. The developed TLC plates were air dried and observed under ultra violet light (UV) at both 25 nm and 366 nm. They were later placed in a hot air oven for 1 min for the development of color in separated bands. The movement of the solvent was expressed by its retention factor (Rf).

Values were calculated for a different sample

$$ \mathrm{Retention}\ \mathrm{factor}\ \left(\mathrm{Rf}\right)=\frac{\mathrm{Distance}\ \mathrm{travelled}\ \mathrm{by}\ \mathrm{solute}}{\mathrm{Distance}\ \mathrm{travelled}\ \mathrm{by}\ \mathrm{solvent}} $$

After drying the plates, they were exposed to iodine vapors by placing them in a chamber that was saturated with iodine vapors and also exposed to different spraying reagents. All plates were visualized directly after drying and with the help of UV at 254 nm and 366 nm in UV chamber. The Rf value of the different pots that were observed was calculated.

HPTLC analysis

The ethyl acetate extract was applied on HPTLC (Camag, Switzerland) aluminum sheet pre-coated with silica gel (Merck, silica gel 60 F254 plate, 0.25 mm) was used as the adsorbent. Methanol:toluene:ethyl acetate (7:3:1) was used as the mobile phase. The chromatographic development chamber was saturated with mobile phase for 10 min prior to placement of the plates. The plates were run up to 8-cm height. The plates were dried with dryer for 3–4 min and bands were observed and scanned at 366 nm and photographs were taken for record.

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS)

The GC–MS analysis was done by electron impact ionization (EI) method on Auto system XL gas chromatography (Perkin Elmer Instrument, Germany) coupled to a Turbo Mass Spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer Instrument, Germany) at Sophisticated and Instrumentation Centre for Applied Research and Training (SICART), Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat. The column was fused silica capillary column, 30 × 0.25 mm ID; coated with D-I, 0.25-μm film thickness. The temperature of the column was programmed at 70 to 250 °C at the rate of 10 °C/min increase, injection port temperature at 250 °C. Helium was used as carrier gas at constant pressure of 100 kpa and flow rate of 20 ml/min. Samples which dissolved in methanol was run fully at range of 60–550 amu and the results were compared by using NIST 107 Spectral library search programme.

Statistical analysis

Data were analyzed by SPSS software (Statistical Package for Social Science, version 20, IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA) and presented as mean ± S.D. Here, P values less than 0.05, 0.01, and 0.001 were considered as statistically significant.

Results

Extraction yield (%) of C. epigaeus tuber

Powder of C. epigaeus tuber was extracted using different solvents via hot extraction method, i.e., the Soxhlet extraction. Extraction % yield and weight of extract is shown in Table 1. Maximum % yield of extract was obtained in ethyl acetate extract, i.e., 4.46% and minimum % yield of extract was obtained in chloroform, i.e., 2.26%.

Table 1 Extraction yield (%) of C. epigaeus tuber
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In-vitro anthelminthic activity of C. epigaeus tuber

Helminthiasis or infections with parasitic worms are pathogenic for human beings. Immature forms of the parasites invade human beings via the skin or gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and evolve into well-differentiated adult worms that have characteristic tissue distribution. C. epigaeus tuber was sequentially extracted using different solvents such as methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and hexane. Normal saline solution taken as a control to treat the earthworms (Pheretima posthuma). They remained active for more than 8 h with good body movement.

Anthelmintic activity of different extract and standard drug

Methanolic extract of C. epigaeus plant in concentrations 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/ml showed paralysis of worms within 1 to 2 min and death within 3 to 4 min depending on the concentration (Table 2). Chloroform extract of C. epigaeus plant of concentrations 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/ml showed paralysis of worms within 4 to 6 min and death within 10 to 13 min depending on the concentration (Table 2). Ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus plant of concentrations 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/ml show paralysis within 1 to 2 min and death within 3 to 4 min (Table 2). More time was taken by hexane extract that at concentrations 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/ml, showed paralysis of worms within 6 to 7 min and death within 10 to 12 min (Table 2). The standard drug, albendazole showed paralysis at 15.30 min and death after 34.18 min at 20 mg/ml concentration (Table 2).

Table 2 Anthelmintic activity with different extracts of C. epigaeus tuber and standard drug
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Effect of different concentrations of ethyl acetate extract

The ethyl acetate extract was used for the effective dose estimation. It was observed that the ethyl acetate extract of Corallocarpus epigaeus tuber is more potent than the methanol, chloroform, and hexane extracts and their activities were comparable with the standard drug albendazole (20 mg/ml). The result in the Table 3 depicts the time taken for paralysis and death of worms when treated with different concentrations. Effective dose estimation of C. epigaeus tuber ethyl acetate extract of different concentrations of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 12.5 mg/ml dose paralysis (min) and death (min) of 7.40, 7.31, 6.43, 5.47, 3.27 and 11.30, 10.74, 10.3, 8.50, 5.84, respectively.

Table 3 Effective dose estimation of ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus tuber
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Phytochemical analysis of quantitative assay of C. epigaeus

The amount of total phenol was determined with the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent. Gallic acid was used as a standard compound and the total phenols were expressed as milligram per gram gallic acid equivalent using the standard curve equation y = 0.0061x + 0.0396, R2 = 0.996, where y is the absorbance at 765 nm and x is the total phenolic content (mg/g).

The amount of total flavonoid was determined using the aluminum chloride method. Quercetin was used as a standard compound and the total flavonoid were expressed as milligram per gram quercetin equivalent using the standard curve equation: y = 0.0061x + 0.0396, R2= 0.996, where y is the absorbance at 510 nm and total flavonoid content is expressed in milligram per gram.

The quantitative estimation of alkaloids was done using Harborne’s method (Harborne 1973) and the yield of alkaloid was calculated by back calculation; the yield obtained from ethyl acetate extract of alkaloid was 44.3% (Table 4).

Table 4 Yield of different components present in the ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus tuber
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The quantitative estimation of saponins was done and the yield of saponin was calculated by back calculation; the yield obtained from ethyl acetate extract of saponins was 1.78% (Table 4).

Thin-layer chromatography of ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus tuber

The ethyl acetate extract showed four major bans present in the solvent system of toluene:methanol:ethyl acetate (8:2:1). The Rf values of the bands are 0.53, 0.18, 0.98, and 0.24. For the presence of compounds and constituents, using sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and Dragendorff’s reagent indicate the presence of cardiac glycoside and alkaloid, respectively.

HPTLC profile of ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus tuber

HPLC analysis of ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus tuber has been shown in Fig. 2. The peak no. 2 exhibited maximum percentage area which was 56.00%, and minimum percentage area was present in peak no. 1 which was 0.98%. The area of peak no. 2 is 56.00 and height is 20.8. The peak no. 2 is of the chemical constituent that is majorly present in the extract (Fig. 3).

Fig. 2
figure2

HPTLC analysis of ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus tuber

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Fig. 3
figure3

Profile of ethyl acetate extract of different chemical constituent peaks

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GC–MS of ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus tuber

GC–MS analysis of ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus tuber is shown in Fig. 4. The separation techniques coupled with GC–MS allowed successful separation of constituents as shown in the GC–MS TIC trace in Fig. 4. Identifications of phytochemical compounds were based on the peak area, retention time, and molecular formula. The GC–MS data can be used to identify major bioactive, phytochemical constituent corresponding to major peak with an area of 28.06%. The peak shows maximum percentage area at RT 20.191 in GC–MS analysis and scan 1.25e7 through mass spectrophotometry. Based on the mass spectrophotometer predication, two compounds majorly identified are n-hexadecanoic acid and octadecanoic acid (Fig. 5) present in the ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus tuber.

Fig. 4
figure4

GC–MS analysis of ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus tuber chromatogram (Scan EI+ TIC 9.10eB)

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Fig. 5
figure5

Structure of n-hexadecanoic acid and octadecanoic acid

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Discussion

Helminths are parasitic worms. They are the most common infectious agents of humans in developing countries and produce a global burden of disease. Helminth infections are commonly found in villages of developing countries and are being recognized as cause of much acute as well as chronic illnesses among humans (Peter et al., 2008; Nisha et al., 2012). Many helminth infections occur in poverty-stricken and developing countries with warm, moist environments and poor sanitary conditions (Peter et al., 2007). Although helminth infections can affect anyone, children in developing nations are mostly at risk (Peter et al., 2008). The World Health Organization reports a 35% infection rate for roundworm, which is a common parasitic worm (Perry et al., 2002; Krishnamurthi, 2003). These infections are usually transmitted through contaminated soil, food, or water; feces; and unwashed hands or contact with a contaminated object.

Chemical control of helminthes coupled with improved management has been the important worm control strategy throughout the world. However, increasing problems of development of resistance in helminthes (Gilbert, 1996; Coles,1997). Hence, the best alternative is plant-based medicine. Plants continue to be an important source for identification of new drug. Important plant-derived drugs are still obtained commercially by extraction from their whole plant sources. Plant produces a large number of secondary metabolites that may serve as future reservoir for novel drugs and therapeutic agents. Screening and proper evaluation of the claimed medicinal plants could offer possible alternatives that may be both sustainable and environmentally acceptable. Development of anthelmintic resistance and high cost of conventional anthelmintic drugs led to the evaluation of medicinal plants which are an alternative source of anthelmintics.

Before evaluating the anthelmintic activity, knowledge about the yield of extract is important. Lower extract yielding plants are not commonly preferred by the pharmaceuticals industry. Ishnava et al. (2015) reported that the same plant methanol extract showed maximum extraction yield (3.28%); compared to our study, the maximum extraction yield (%) of extract was obtained in ethyl acetate (4.46%). This may be due to improper selection of solvent system and method of extraction, using ethyl acetate and collection of our sample from semi deciduous forest of Gujarat. Environmental factors of soil and the location of plant also play significant roles.

Methanolic extract of C. epigaeus plant in concentrations 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/ml showed paralysis of worms within 1.27 to 2.06 min and death within 3.26 to 4.38 min depending on the concentration (Table 2). Nisha et al. (2012) reported that the methanol extract of Pyrostegia venusta at the concentration of 5 mg/ml showed time of paralysis and death at 65 and 88 min, respectively. For concentrations at 7.5, 10, and 12.5 mg/ml, paralysis was shown at 70, 66, and 34 min, respectively. and death occurred at 94, 91, and 78 min, respectively. Compared to this result, methanol extract of C. epigaeus showed better activity, and in short time, death was observed because concentration is very high.

Chloroform extract of C. epigaeus plant of concentrations 25, 50, 75, 100 mg/ml showed paralysis of worms within 4.75 to 6.19 min and death within 10.06 to13.7 min depending on the concentration (Table 2). Vidyadha et al. (2010) reported the chloroform extract of Enicostemma littorale at the concentration of 25 mg/ml showed the time of paralysis and death at 45 and 59 min, respectively. Compared to this study, chloroform extract of C. epigaeus showed better result.

Ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus plant of concentrations 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/ml showed paralysis of worms within 1.27 to 2.06 min and death within 3.84 to 4.38 min (Table 2). Vidyadha et al. (2010) reported that the ethyl acetate extract Enicostemma littorale at the concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 mg/ml showed the time of paralysis and death at 35, 27, 20 and 49, 39, 27 min, respectively. Compared to this study, ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus showed paralysis and death at 2, 1.5, 1.2 and 4.3, 4.1, 3.26 min respectively. This result of C. epigaeus shows good activity compared to Enicostemma littorale.

More time was taken by hexane extract; at concentrations 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/ml, it showed paralysis of worms within 6.08 to 7.77 min and death at 10.28 to 12.94 min (Table 2). Vidyadha et al. (2010) reported the hexane extract of Enicostemma littorale at the concentration of 25 and 100 mg/ml showed the time of paralysis and death at 50, 36 and 64, 49 min, respectively. Compared to this study, C. epigaeus showed paralysis and death at 7.7, 6.08 and 12.94, 10.28 min, respectively. This result shows C. epigaeus’ good activity compared to Enicostemma littorale. It can be tested for use as an alternative drug.

The standard drug, albendazole showed paralysis at 15.30 min and death after 34.18 min at 20 mg/ml concentration (Table 2). From the above result, it is clear that all the extracts of C. epigaeus plant have significant anthelmintic activity in a dose-dependent manner when compared with standard anthelmintic drug. But ethyl acetate extract showed great results as time taken for death is comparatively very low as compared to standard drug. Vijaya et al. (2011) reported that the same plant using the solvent of ethanolic and aqueous extract compared to the ethyl acetate extract showed great results as time taken for death is comparatively very low. The best solvent is ethyl acetate extract since it gives the best response for a short time and at a minimum dose.

In our study, the effective dose was estimated to be 12.5 mg/ml as the time of paralysis and death took 3.27 and 5.84 min, respectively. The rest of the concentration took more time for paralysis and death. It caused paralysis followed by death of the worms at all tested dose levels. Potency of the extracts was inversely proportional to the time taken for paralysis death of the worms. It is quite apparent from the studies that the ethyl acetate extract possesses significant anthelmintic activity. The above findings justify the use as an anthelmintic, as suggested in the folklore medicines.

In the qualitative phytochemical analysis of ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus tuber, various phytoconstituents were present. The ethyl acetate extract showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, phenol, flavonoid, steroids, saponin, and glycosides. Gnananath et al. (2013) reported that the ethanolic extract of C. epigaeus rhizomes contains phenolic compounds, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phytosterols. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus tuber indicated the mix of compounds gives better activity.

Phytochemical constituents of the ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus tuber were quantitatively analyzed for the presence of chemical constituents (%) in the plant under study. The results have been depicted in Table 4. The maximum phytochemical present is alkaloid (44.3 %) in the ethyl acetate extracts (Table 4). The phenol and flavonoid are in relatively less quantity in the ethyl acetate extracts (Table 4). The phenol and flavonoid contents in the standard gallic acid at various concentrations (μg/ml) were obtained (Table 4). The values obtained in the ethyl acetate extract are very less compared to the standard value. Alkaloids are also used as starting materials in the manufacture of steroidal drugs and carry out protective functions in animals, thus are medicinal especially steroidal alkaloids (Maxwell et al., 1995). Isolated pure plant alkaloids and their synthetic derivatives are used as basic medicinal agent for their anthelmintic effects (Gnananath et al., 2013). The presence of these secondary metabolites has contributed to its medicinal value as well as physiological activity (Lewis and Elvin-Lewis., 1977). For instance, phenols have been shown to have antibacterial, anthelmintic, and antineoplastic activities (Alan and Miller., 1996).

HPLC analysis of ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus tuber has showed six major peaks. The area of peak no. 2 is 56.00 and height is 20.8. The peak no. 2 is of the chemical constituent that is majorly present in the extract (Fig. 3). Thangavel et al. (2014) reported the same plant collected from Tamilnadu, India using the mobile phase (toluene:methanol (8:2)) separating 11 bands. In our study, a total of 9 bands were obtained in the sample. The plant material is collected from semi-deciduous forest of Gujarat. Environmental factors may have a significant effect on the production of secondary metabolites.

GC–MS analysis of ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus tuber identification confirmation was by comparison of their mass spectra with NIST Library version year 2005. Based on the mass spectrophotometer predication, two compounds majorly identified is n-hexadecanoic acid and octadecanoic acid (Fig. 5) present in the ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus tuber. Moonjit and Himaja (2014) reported that they investigated the insecticidal activity, anthelmintic activity, GC–MS analysis, and the phytochemical screening of the petroleum ether (IEP) and ethanol (IEE) extracts of the aerial parts of Ipomoea eriocarpa with the presence of hexadecanoic acid and octadecanoic acid. Alby and Regi (2016) reported the phytochemical studies portray the presence of several biologically active secondary metabolites and GC–MS profiling of B. phoenicea ethanolic extract revealed the presence of possible compounds in the plant are hexadecanoic acid and octadecanoic acid. Dubal et al. (2013) reported the components present in the methanolic extract of rhizome of T. coadunate were identified by GC–MS analysis as n-hexadecanoic acid (Palmitic acid) having antioxidants, hypochloresterolenic, nematicide, pesticide, lubricant, antiandrogenic flavor, and hemolytic properties. Bohm et al. (2016) reported that the anthelmintic activity of the methanolic extract might be attributed to the wide range of chemical classes including octadecanoic acid, oleic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, eicosenoic acid, oleyl alcohol, cyclohexane, and heptadecanoic acid as per the results of GC–MS. Anthelmintic activity of ethyl acetate extract of C. epigaeus tuber might be attributed to the wide range of chemical classes including octadecanoic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, and heptadecanoic acid as per the results of GC–MS.

The structure, chemical formula, and molecular weight of n-hexadecanoic acid and octa decanoic acid (Fig. 5) that may be the bioactive compound responsible for the anthelmintic activity are stated below:

IUPAC name: n-hexadecanoic acid, Chemical formula: C16H32O2, Molecular weight: 256 g/mol, Boiling point: 351 °C, Melting point: 62.9 °C and

IUPAC name: octadecanoic acid, Chemical formula: C18H36O2, Molecular weight: 284 g/mol, Boiling point: 361 °C, Melting point: 69.3 °C.

Conclusion

In the evaluation of the anthelmintic activity of the C. epigaeus, extraction was done using organic solvents namely methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and hexane against Pheretima posthuma. The result depicted that the ethyl acetate extract showed the finest activity. The minimum inhibition concentration was found out to be 12.5 mg/ml. The preliminary phytochemical qualitative analysis of the ethyl acetate extract showed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, phenol, tannins, and steroids. HPTLC analysis of ethyl acetate extract showed 6 bands. GC–MS results analysis of ethyl acetate extract showed 6 peaks and the majorly identified bioactive compounds were n-hexadecanoic acid and octadecanoic acid. These compounds may be useful for the treatment of the helminthiasis. Prior using, further analysis of cytotoxicity is required.

Availability of data and materials

Not applicable

Abbreviations

GC:

MS

Gas chromatography

mass spectrometry

HPTLC:

High performance of thin layer chromatography

g:

Gram

mg:

Milligrams

min:

Minutes

ml:

Milliliters

Rf:

Retardation factor

SD:

Standard deviation

TLC:

Thin layer chromatography

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful and acknowledge the Sophisticated Instrument Centre for Applied Research and Testing (SICART), DST, India for the HPTLC and GC–MS analyses. The authors are also thankful to Charutar Vidya Mandal (CVM), Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India and Director of Ashok and Rita Patel Institute of Integrated Studies and Research in Biotechnology and Allied Sciences (ARIBAS), New Vallabh Vidyanagar -388121, Gujarat, India, for providing necessary support research and laboratory facility.

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  1. Ashok and Rita Patel Institute of Integrated Studies and Research in Biotechnology and Allied Sciences (ARIBAS), New Vallabh Vidyanag, Anand, Gujarat, ar-388121, India

    Kalpesh B. Ishnava & Priya S. Konar

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  1. Kalpesh B. Ishnava
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Priya S. Konar did co-operation in the plan of work, field work, chemical analysis, and arrangement of data. Kalpesh B Ishnava did the designing of the work, interpretation of the data and writing the MS. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Kalpesh B. Ishnava.

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Ishnava, K.B., Konar, P.S. In vitro anthelmintic activity and phytochemical characterization of Corallocarpus epigaeus (Rottler) Hook. f. tuber from ethyl acetate extracts. Bull Natl Res Cent 44, 33 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-020-00286-z

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Keywords

  • Corallocarpus epigaeus
  • Tuber
  • Anthelmintic activity
  • Phytochemical analysis
  • HPTLC
  • GC–MS