Anthelmintic and Antibacterial Activity of Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F. Gmel (Rosaceae)

Abstract

Organic solvent extracts of the stem bark of Hagenia abyssinica Bruce J.F. Gmel (Rosaceae) were screened for anthelmintic and antibacterial activity. The methanol and dichloromethane/methanol extracts exhibited anthelmintic activity when tested using Panagrellus redivivus model. Further, the stem bark methanol extract showed significant but weaker activity than levamisole against Caenorhabditis elegans species. The petroleum ether and the dichloromethane/methanol extracts exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli at a concentration of 50 mg/ml, but no antifungal activity.

Key words: Hagenia abyssinica, anthelmintic, antibacterial