Evaluation of the anti-coccidial effect of aqueous Sacoglottis gabonensis (Magnoliophyta, Humiriaceae) stem bark extract in broilers experimentally infected with mixed Eimeria species

Abstract

Aim of the study: The aqueous Sacoglottis gabonensis stem bark extract (SGSBE) was evaluated for its anti-coccidial effects and toxicity in broiler chickens Area of the study: Nsukka, Nigeria Materials and methods: A hundred and nineteen, four-week old, broiler birds were used for this study. The toxicity of SGSBE was evaluated by administering graded doses of the extract once and for 21 days. The anticoccidial effect of SGSBE was determined using 25 birds arbitrarily divided into five groups (A-E) of five birds each. Groups A-D were orally infected with 200,000 sporulated mixed Eimeria oocysts while group E served as the uninfected control. Groups A and B birds were treated orally with SGSBE (200 mg/kg) once and daily for five consecutive days respectively while group C birds were treated with amprolium daily for five days. Birds in group D remained infected-untreated. The birds were observed for clinical signs, body weight changes, oocyst output, and some haemato-biochemical parameters. Main results: Mild signs of toxicity were detected with mortality only in the group that received the highest dose of SGSBE following toxicity tests. Clinical signs of coccidiosis were observed following infection of the birds. Oocyst output, clinical signs and lesions were significantly reduced (p<0.05) while body weight, survivability and haemato-biochemical indices of the birds were significantly improved (p<0.05) in SGSBE treated groups. Moreover, five days consecutive treatment with SGSBE yielded better results. Research highlights: The aqueous S. gabonensis stem bark extract is relatively safe and possesses anti-coccidial efficacy against mixed Eimeria infections in broiler chickens.