Abstract
In vitro experiments were conducted to determine the anthelmintic effects of crude aqueous extracts of the leaves of Carissa spinarum and Azadrichta indica, fruits ofPhytolacca dodecandra and stem bark of Acacia tortilis on eggs and adults ofHaemonchus contortus using egg hatch assay and mortality of adult parasite. Extracts of the leaves of C. spinarum and A. indica inhibited hatching of egg at concentration less than or equal to 1 mg/ml. Low egg hatch inhibition were observed for extracts of A. tortilis(100%) and P. dodecandra (99.4%) at the maximum concentration tested (2 mg/ml). Of the plants tested, extracts of C. spinarum and A. indica showed very good activity against the adult worms of H. contortus, mortality raised to the levels of 96.8 and 93.9%, respectively, at concentration of 4 mg/ml. P. dodecandra and A. tortilis produced mortality of 68.1 and 53.03% of adult H. contortus at 4 mg/ml concentration, respectively. Albendazole killed the parasites in a dose dependant manner and all the worms were dead at a concentration of 0.5 mg/kg within 24 h. The overall findings of the current study indicated that most of the plants have potential anthelmintic effect warranting further in vitro and in vivo evaluation. Key words: Anthelmintic, Haemonchus contortus, in vitro experiment, plant extracts.
Highlights
Helminthosis play a crucial role in small ruminant production leading to enormous economic losses in areas where extensive grazing is practiced (Tembely et al, 1994; Waller, 1997)
All the plants were identified by a plant taxonomist and voucher specimens of each species were deposited at the Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology (ALIPB), Addis Ababa University
All the four extracts of the plants exhibited good activities against eggs of H. contortus; there was variation in doses required for each type of extract
Summary
Helminthosis play a crucial role in small ruminant production leading to enormous economic losses in areas where extensive grazing is practiced (Tembely et al, 1994; Waller, 1997). It causes loss of production directly and indirectly. Haemonchosis is characterized by anemia attributable to blood loss via blood sucking activities of worms in the abomasums (Soulsby, 1986); causing acute disease and high morality in all classes of livestock (Allonby and Urquhart, 1975). In Kenya, haemonchosis alone was estimated to cause an annual loss of 26 million dollar in sheep and goat production (Allonby and Urquhart, 1975)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
