**2.11** *Paullinia pinnata* **L. (Euphorbiaceaae)**

*Paullinia pinnata* is a woody climber growing in tropical regions worldwide. In Ghana, it is locally called '*toantini'* in the Akan language. Preparations from the whole plant is used to treat dysentery. The mashed roots are used as poultice to heal chronic wounds and to treat leprosy. The root decoction is also used to cure coughs, pneumonia, gonorrhea, fractures, bacterial infections and abscesses. It is popularly known for its aphrodisiac property and used to treat erectyle dysfunction [58]. In addition, extracts of leaves and roots have been described for the treatment of helminth infestations particularly ancylostomiasis [40].

The hydroethanolic extract of the roots of *P. pinnata* was investigated in an *in vitro* mortality assay against the free-living nematode *Caenorhabditis elegans* as well as the larval stages of the parasitic helminths: *Ancylostoma caninum*, *Haemonchus contortus*, *Toxocara cati* and *Trichuris vulpis*. From the assay, the extract showed lethal activity against *T. cati* (LC50 = 112 μg/mL), *T. vulpis* (LC50 = 17 μg/mL), and *C. elegans* (LC50 = 2.5 of mg/mL), but not against *A. caninum.* Additionally, the effects of the extract on egg hatching and larval migration of the sheep parasite, *Haemonchus contortus* were investigated *in vitro*, but no inhibitory activity was observed [59].

In another study, the 70% aqueous acetone extract, solvent fractions and isolated compounds from the roots of *P. pinnata* were investigated for anthelmintic against *C. elegans*. From the results, the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest anthelmintic effects with an LC50 of 1.1 mg/mL followed by the crude extract (LC50 = 1.9 mg/mL) and the aqueous fraction (LC50 = 2.9 mg/mL). Oligomeric proanthocyanidins were identified as the main active compounds. A mortality rate of at least 70% was observed for all proanthocyanidin containing fractions at 1 mg/mL [60].
