title: The anthelmintic effect of aqueous methanol extract of Combretum molle (R. Br. x. G. Don) (Combretaceae) in lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus.
abstract: The aqueous methanol extract from the stem-bark of Combretum molle was evaluated for anthelmintic activity in lambs infected with Haemonchus contortus using faecal egg count (FEC) reduction assay. The extract showed a dose-dependent reduction in FEC in infected animals. At doses of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg kg(-1), the extract caused FEC reduction of 63%, 69.25% and 96.23%, respectively. Similarly, the standard anthelmintic (albendazole) at a dose of 200 mg kg(-1) produced FEC reduction of 99.24%. FEC reduction produced by the extract at doses of 500 and 1000 mg kg(-1) is below the minimum standard of 90% FEC recommended by the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP). However, there was no significant (P>0.05) difference between the means of groups treated with 1000 mg kg(-1) and 2000 mg kg(-1) compared to that of albendazole. In this study, C. molle has shown a promising anthelmintic activity against experimental haemonchosis. Nonetheless, further studies to evaluate its detailed toxicity are required for the plant extract to be developed into a useful anthelmintic drug. There is also the need to evaluate other parts of the plant (root, leaves, fruits, etc.) for the same effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria. kawesimon2002@yahoo.com
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Ajanusi
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Abubakar
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Idris
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Suleiman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D029765:Combretum / Q000737:chemistry*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006188:Haemonchiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D006189:Haemonchus / Q000145:classification*; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry*; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000432:Methanol