Pharmaco-Chemical characterization and Acaricidal Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Chassalia Curviflora (Wall ex Kurz.) Thwaites.

Introduction: C. curviflora, an important ethno-medicinal plant used by the Kurichia local people in Western Ghats region of Wayanad is yet to be explored pharmacologically. It is used as paste on the body of cattle and birds for curing skin diseases. Objectives: To characterize the pharmacochemical features and to study the acaricidal effect of ethanolic extract of C. curviflora on engorged female ticks of R. (B.) annutatus. Methods: The pharmaco-chemical features such as physico-chemical, proximate, phytochemical, fluorescence, and HPTLC profiling were carried out using standard techniques. The pulverized leaves were subjected to soxhlet extraction using ethanol. The ethanolic extract at different concentrations (10% to 1.25%) was tested against ticks using adult immersion test (AIT). Result: The preliminary phytochemical investigation showed high contents of saponins, alkaloids and flavonoids. The HPTLC profiling of ethanolic extract showed the presence of 14 polyvalent components. Based on AIT, the extract at 10% revealed 43.76% of inhibition of fecundity (IF) and 29.16% of adult tick mortality. Conclusion: The results revealed that the extract has some active compounds that may influence in the reproductive system of female ticks.