title: A controlled study to determine the efficacy of Loxostylis alata (Anacardiaceae) in the treatment of aspergillus in a chicken (Gallus domesticus) model in comparison to ketoconazole.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The poultry industry due to intensive methods of farming is burdened with losses from numerous infectious agents, of which one is the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. In a preliminary study, the extracts of Loxostylis alata A. Spreng, ex Rchb. showed good activity in vitro against A. fumigatus with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.07 mg/ml. For this study crude, a crude acetone extract of L. alata leaves was evaluated for its acute toxicity in a healthy chicken model and for efficacy in an infectious model of aspergillosis (A. fumigatus).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At a dose of 300 mg/kg, the extract induced some toxicity characterised by decreased feed intake and weight loss. Consequently, 100 and 200 mg/kg were used to ascertain efficacy in the infectious model. The plant extract significantly reduced clinical disease in comparison to the control in a dose dependant manner. The extract was as effective as the positive control ketoconazole dosed at 60 mg/kg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that a crude extract of L. alata leaves has potential as an antifungal agent to protect poultry against avian aspergillosis.
authors.affiliation: Phytomedicine Programme, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: Mohammed M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Suleiman
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Jacobus N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Eloff
authors.forename: Vinny
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Naidoo
mesh_terms: D027926:Anacardiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D002645:Chickens; D007654:Ketoconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D007654:Ketoconazole