Combined use of Herb Extract as Anthelmintic for Controlling Gastro- Intestinal Parasites and Hemoto-Biochemical Effect on Sheep

Abstract

This study was conducted on sheep for the evaluation of anthelmintic efficacy of some selected indigenous medicinal plants comparison with synthetic anthelmintic of ivermectin (0.1%). Three (3) medicinal plants Neem (Azadirachta indica), Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) and Clove (Eugeniu caryophyllus) were selected. Crude aqueous extracts (CAE) and Crude methanol extract (CME) were prepared separately for in vivo screening against gastro instestinal parasites in sheep during July to December, 2015. Sixteen (16) naturally gastrointestinal parasites infested sheep (gt;840 EPG) were selected age between 6 to 24 months. The sheep population was divided into four (4) groups (A, B, C and D) which consisted of four (4) sheep in each group. Group A was control and group B, C and D were treated groups. Stock solution was prepared by following the herbs extraction standard procedure. Combined herbal anthelmintic dose was prepared at the ratio of 1: 2 : 2 (neem: bitter gourd: clove) to get better result instead of single use. In vivo screening, the extracts efficacy was observed @ 1ml/kg body weight at concentration (100 mg/ml) on day 0 and 7. The egg per gram (EPG) load was counted by using the McMaster egg counting technique on day 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Continuous reduction of EPG load observed at post-treatment period of group B, C and D (89%, 86 % and 90.7 %), respectively on day 28, in compared to day 0. Significant differences (p?0.05) were observed among the treated groups. Conversely, in control group A, the EPG load sharply increased, ranging from 947.5 at day 0 to 1572.5 at day 28 but the differences were not significantly differed (p?0.05). The Hb (%), PCV, TLC and TEC increased and ESR (mm/1st hr) decreased that was significant (p?0.05) among the treated groups. In leukocytes count, the eosinophils (6.2%) and basophils (0.2%) decreased at the 28th day. The levels of AST, ALT and creatinine also varied significantly (p?0.05) among the treated groups on days 7, 14, 2