GC-MS, antioxidant study and effect of Sesbania sesban var. bicolor on Raillietina echinobothrida and Syphacia obvelata

Anthelmintic medicinal plants can cause deformities in the external structure of parasites exposed to them. Sesbania sesban var. bicolor is a traditionally used anthelmintic medicinal plants used by the Santhal tribe of Assam. This study evaluates the damages caused by the methanolic extract on the tegument of Raillietina echinobothrida and Syphacia obvelata and also assesses its antioxidant activity. In addition, GC-MS study to identify the phytochemicals in the studied plant was also carried out. Worms were exposed to 30 mg/ml of the extract and the paralysed worms were processed for scanning electron microscopy study. Images obtained revealed extensive damage on the mouth, suckers, and cuticle/tegument of the worms. The study revealed that the plant possesses a good antioxidant activity. GC-MS of the plant revealed the presence of about 21 prominent peaks of which Octadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester was the most abundant. The activity of the plant may be attributed to the presence of these compounds which may be responsible for its antioxidant and anthelmintic activity.