Novel drug designing rationale against Brugia malayi microfilariae using herbal extracts

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of herbal polyphenolics on filariasis in vitro.MethodsTwo herbal extracts, methanolic extracts of roots of Vitex negundo Linn. (Nirgundi) and leaves of Aegle marmelos Juss. (Beal) in different concentrations ranging from 40-80 ng/mL were tested for their antifilarial activity either alone or in combination with diethyl carbonate (DEC) (300 μ g/mL) and/or H2O2 (0.5 mM).ResultsCombination of DEC and each extract had significant anti-filarial effect. And fractions of both extracts were not effective as crude herbal extract.ConclusionSuch unique pharmacodynamics reported in this study might provide new drug development stratagem against filariasis.