In-vivo activity of two herbal plant mixtures against gastrointestinal nematodes in ruminants

Abstract

Helminthes infestation is a major constraint to livestock production. Increasing anthelmintic resistance and the impact of conventional anthelmintics on the environment has led to increased interest on new novel plant-based compounds. In this study, the in vivo activity of a herbal extract mixture containing Entada leptostachya and Prosopis juliflora was determined using faecal egg count (FEC) reduction tests on sheep. There were no signs of toxicity in all the groups throughout the study period apart from reduced feed intake in the initiation stage of the experiment. The herbal formula exhibited a time-dependent but not dose-dependent in- vivo anthelmintic activity. The 500mg/kg b.w.dose produced the maximum faecal egg reduction of 84% while 4500mg/kg b.w.dose gave the least reduction of -59% on day 19 post-treatment (PT). The results of the FEC reduction tests indicated that the herbal formulation tested passed the threshold FEC reduction of 80%. All the groups had an increase in their mean live body weights (LBWs) by day 19 PT except the untreated group. However, none of the increase was significant (P>0.05). All the animals recorded pre- and post-treatment packed cell volume (PCV) values that were within the permissible range of between 24 -45% for experimental sheep. All the groups recorded improved PCV values except the doses at 1500mg/kg b.w. and 4500mg/kg b.w. In conclusion, the herbal mixture was, therefore, safe and sufficiently active and has potential as a novel anthelmintic drug for the treatment of gastro-intestinal nematodes in ruminants.