The effect of aqueous and alcoholic extract of roots of Berberis aristata was studied on the spontaneous movements of the whole worm (w.w) preparation and nerve muscle (n.m) complex of cattle filarial parasite Setaria cervi and on the survival of microfilariae. Only aqueous extract could inhibit the spontaneous movements of S. cervi, characterized by initial stimulation followed by reversible paralysis. The concentration required to produce similar effect on n.m complex was less as compared to the w.w. The lethal concentration 50 and lethal concentration 90 for aqueous extract were 48 ng/ml and 65 ng/ml.