Botanicals: a natural approach to control ascaridiosis in poultry

Abstract

Parasites (protozoa, helminthes, arthropods) represent a main threat for poultry worldwide. Among helminthes, nematodes constitute the most important group of parasites of poultry. The nematode Ascaridia galli, the cause of ascaridiosis in poultry, is one of the most important and prevalent parasites, resulting in serious economic losses, associated with the treatment cost, the decreased feed efficiency, and the poor egg and meat production. During the past few decades the indiscriminate use of anthelmintic drugs has generated several cases of resistance in helminthes in poultry, situation which is coupled with the severity of residues in poultry products. For this reason, nowadays attention has been drawn to the use of botanicals in poultry diet, due to their anthelmintic properties. Furthermore, the dietary use eco-friend ly of these plant derived substances compared to conventional synthetic anthelmintic drugs is considered as a natural and ecofriendly approach by the consumers. The focus of the present review is to recapitulate the studies, both in vivo and in vitro, that have demonstrated the anthelmintic efficacy of various dietary botanicals in controlling poultry ascaridiosis.

In vivo anthelmintic activity of Eleusine indica extracts against gastrointestinal nematodes of goats

“…Steroidal alkaloids and aminoglycosides alter nitrate generation and the sugar that reaches the stomach, resulting in unfavorable conditions for parasite development [ 20 ]. Moreover, the piperidine alkaloids pelletierine and arecoline may cause parasite paralysis due to the inhibition of acetylcholine receptors [ 21 ].…”

Pumpkin seeds, lemongrass essential oil and ripleaf leaves as feed additives for Ascaridia galli infected laying hens

“…Stephen et al ( 2022 ) examined Sterospermum kunthianum (Cham-Holl) leaf extracts and their influence on in vitro A. galli egg development and found a concentration-dependency of the plant extract. Like ripleaf (Fayera et al 2018 ), Cham-Holl and A. secundiflora have tanniferous components which are known for their anthelmintic properties such as limiting the availability of nutrients for larvae, inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation in adults and larvae, binding to intestinal larval mucosae and causing thereby autolysis (Symeonidou et al 2018 ). Sen et al ( 2020 ) investigated different extracts of Carica papaya (papaya) in vitro and artificially A. galli infected animals in vivo and showed its high efficiency on larval development in vitro and its FEC reducing abilities in vivo .…”

“…Tanniferous plants, such as ripleaf are known for their anthelmintic properties on the larvae and worms themselves (Symeonidou et al 2018 ). Maurer et al (unpublished results) revealed a high in vitro effectiveness of pumpkin seeds, ripleaf and lemongrass oil as a natural anthelmintic depending on the dosage.…”

“…Ripleaf is a tannic plant (Fayera et al 2018 ), which is known for its anthelmintic properties, e.g. limiting the availability of nutriments for larvae, inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation in adults and larvae, binding to intestinal larval mucosae and thereby causing autolysis (Symeonidou et al 2018 ).…”

Anthelmintic efficacy of tuba (Croton tiglium L.) seeds on the gastrointestinal parasites of native chickens (Gallus domesticus)

“…One of the preventive measures used by poultry breeders to combat parasitic infection is the use of commercially available anthelmintic agents. With continued use, however, the parasites have established resistance to commercially available anthelmintics (10). In addition, the unavailability of treatment regimen and the cost of anthelmintic drugs impedes village raisers from controlling the impact of parasitism in their flocks.…”