ABSTRACT
Efficacy of the total glycosides, saponins and anthraquinones isolated from Nigella sativa [Kalonji] seeds was Judged in the goats infected naturally with mixed gastro-intestinal nematodes. The glycosides were administered orally to groups of sheep in 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg body weight doses. Nilzan ' 15 ml/15 kg was similarly administered to the control sheep. Pre - and post - treatment faecal eggs per gram [EPG] counts and their percentage reductions were determined on 3rd,10th and 15th day of drug administration. Their 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg oral dose of the glycosides reduced the EPC counts highly significantly [P<0.001] on day 10 and15. Statistically 150 and 200mg/kg dose of N. sativa glycosides were as effective as Nilzan ' against goat cestodes on post-treatment days 10 day 15. However, a lower dose of 100 mg /kg of the glycosides could also produce results similar to Nilzan ' on and 15 only. The saponins and anthraquinones isolated from the N. sativa seeds, however, failed to exert any significant effect in their 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg doses. These data suggest that the total glycosides of N. sativa seeds possess considerable activity against cestodes in the goats and may be responsible for the Anticestodal efficacy of the powdered seeds already reported to be effective against tape worms of shep