Comparative Study of Neem (Azadirachta indica), Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia) extract as Herbal Anthelmintic and Albendazole as Chemical Anthelmintic in Controlling Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Goats

Abstract

The comparative efficiency of methanol extracts of Neem (Azadirachta indica), Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia) and chemical anthelmintic Albendazole on gastrointestinal nematodes infected goats were evaluated by egg per gram (EPG) count for a period of approximately three weeks. Twelve Kambing Katjang goats naturally infested with gastrointestinal parasite were selected based on EPG count (>300 EPG) and divided into four groups each consisting of three goats. Treatment I was methanol extract of A.indica (0.5 ml/kg body weight), treatment II was methanol extract of M.charantia (1 ml/kg body weight), treatment III was chemical anthelmintic, Albendazole (0.1 ml/kg body weight) and finally treatment IV was control. The treatments were administered on day 0 orally with single dosage and faecal egg count (EPG) was determined on day 4, 8 and 20. Both methanol extract of A.indica and M.charantia showed significant (p 0.01) reduction throughout the three weeks. The use of herbal anthelmintics, A.indica and M.charantia has shown significant (p<0.01) anthelmintic activity when compared with control group. Keywords: Neem (Azadirachta indica), bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), Gastro-intestinal nematode, Albendazole, goat, EPG