In vitro anthelmintic activity of Dennettia tripetala G. Baker (Annonaceae) Fruits against Haemonchus contortus.

Helminthosis is one of the greatest causes of parasitic disease and loss in animal productivity. As such, the control of helminth parasites is of critical importance. This study was aimed to investigate the in vitro anthelmintic activity of Dennettia tripetala G. Baker (Annonaceae) fruits against Haemonchus contortus. Using in vitro techniques, the anthelmintic activity of extracts and fractions of D. tripetala G. Baker (Annonaceae) was evaluated for ovicidal (Egg hatch inhibition test) and larvicidal (larval mortality test) activity. Besides, the maximum tolerated dose was determined in adult albino rats administered, 300, 400, and 500 mg/kg body weight of the CME fraction, and observed over a period of 48 h for signs of toxicity and mortality. Phytochemical screening uncovered the occurrence of flavonoids, steroids/triterpenes, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, carbohydrates, and alkaloids in the crude methanol extract (CME), the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), and butanol fraction. The maximum tolerated dose of the CME of D. tripetala did not produce observable signs of toxicity or death in all the rats given up to 500 mg/kg. The CME and EAF of D. tripetala fruits produced a significant ( p < 0.05 ) reduction in the hatchability of H. contortus eggs in a concentration-dependent manner, while the CME at concentrations between 12.5 and 100 mg/ml completely inhibited the hatching of H. contortus eggs. Similarly, EAF at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/ml completely inhibited the hatching of H. contortus eggs. The CME and EAF of D. tripetala fruits produced significant ( p < 0.05 ) larvicidal activity against L3 of H. contortus in a concentration-dependent manner while the CME at concentrations between 6.25 and 100 mg/ml caused larval mortality of H. contortus L3 larvae completely. This study suggests that methanol extract and fractions of D. tripetala fruits possess beneficial anthelmintic (ovicidal and larvicidal) activity against H. contortus, and may be a suitable alternative anthelmintic candidate for the control of nematodes.

Anthelmintic activity of methanol extract of Dennettia tripetala G. Baker (Annonaceae) fruits against Haemonchus contortus in red Sokoto goats.

Haemonchosis is a gastrointestinal parasitic disease of economic importance in ruminants especially sheep and goats. In view of the rising costs of conventional veterinary anthelmintics and the development of resistance by Haemonchus contortus, there is a need to develop alternative ethnoveterinary therapies for the treatment and management of Haemonchosis. This study investigated the anthelmintic activity of Dennettia tripetala G. Baker (Annonaceae) fruits against Haemonchus contortus in red Sokoto goats. The maximum tolerated dose was determined in adult albino rats administered, 3000, 4000, and 5000 mg/kg body weight of the crude methanol extract (CME) fraction, and observed over a period of 48 h for signs of toxicity and mortality. The in vivo anthelmintic activity was evaluated using 20 kids infected with H. contortus and randomly allocated into 5 groups (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). Kids in groups 1, 2, and 3 were treated with CME at doses of 1250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg respectively for 3 consecutive days per os. Groups 4 and 5 were treated with albendazole (7.5 mg/kg) once and distilled water (5 ml) respectively and served as treated and untreated controls. Blood samples were collected for haematology. The maximum tolerated dose of the CME of D. tripetala did not produce observable signs of toxicity or death in all the rats given up to 5000 mg/kg. There was significant (P < 0.05) reduction in faecal egg count by CME at doses of 1250 mg/kg (91.6%), 2500 mg/kg (98.5%), and 5000 mg/kg (100%) at day 14 post-treatment. The total plasma protein (TPP) and FAMACHA© scoring values were significantly improved (P < 0.05) in the treated groups. These results indicate that methanol extract and fractions of D. tripetala fruits possess beneficial anthelmintic activity against H. contortus and may be a suitable alternative anthelmintic candidate for the control of haemonchosis in goats.

Evaluation of resistance to gastrointestinal helminth nematodes in two naturally infected indigenous Nigerian goat breeds.

Tropical goat breeds often have at least modest resistance to gastrointestinal nematode parasites (GIN), but enhancement of GIN resistance is important for breed improvement. This study compared changes in fecal egg count (FEC), packed cell volume, and body weight in Red Sokoto (RS) and Sahelian (SH) male and female weaner kids and adult goats. The RS is found throughout Nigeria, but the SH is found only in the arid Sahel. Goats were evaluated fortnightly for 20 times (MT) under normal grazing conditions and natural GIN infection over 9.5 months, beginning in the dry season (November) and ending at the end of the subsequent wet season (August). Animals were dewormed at the start of the study and during the rainy season (MT 18). Breed differences in FEC and PCV were not observed in weaners. Weaner females had lower FEC than males but were rapidly re-infected after deworming, perhaps in association with attainment of puberty. Adult SH goats of both sexes had lower FEC than RS goats in MT 8 through 17, suggesting a stronger acquired immune response. The FEC in lactating females of both breeds increased rapidly after deworming, to ≥ 3000 eggs per gram of feces at MT 19 and 20. The optimal time to evaluate GIN resistance in weaners was during the early rainy season, but the decision to focus on the initial high FEC near MT 15 or wait until mobilization of the acquired immune response near MT 17 requires further consideration.