Efficacy of Neem (Azadirachta Indica), Shahtra (Fumaria Parviflora) Leaves and Kalonji (Nigella Sativa) Seeds Against Haemonchus Contortus Infection in Locally Bred Rambouillet Sheep in Pakistan

Abstract

Sheep farming is the backbone of Pakistan's rural economy and haemonchosis is a major impediment in its way. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of three medicinal plants Azadirachta indica (Neem), Fumaria parviflora (Shahtra) leaves and Nigella sativa (Kalonji) seeds against Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) infection in locally bred Rambouillet sheep. One hundred and ten naturally infected female sheep diagnosed on the basis of identification of the parasite and faecal egg count, were selected. The animals were assigned to 11 treatments in a completely randomized (CR) design with 10 animals per treatment. The treatments were Albendazole 7.5 mg/kg BW (positive control), Neem leaves extract (NLE) 50 mg/kg BW, NLE 100 mg/kg BW, NLE 150 mg/kg BW, Shahtra leaves extract (SLE) 50 mg/kg BW, SLE 100 mg/kg BW, SLE 150 mg/kg BW, Kalonji seeds extract (KSE) 50 mg/kg BW, KSE 100 mg/kg BW, KSE 150 mg/kg BW and un-treated infected (Negative control). All the extracts were prepared in aqueous solution. Treatments were administered as single dose orally. Faecal egg count was recorded on zero, 7 th , 14 th , 21 st and 28 th -day post-treatment for analysis. Faecal egg count reduction percentage (FECR%) was recorded to assess the efficacy of the drugs. None of the treatments could fully eliminate faecal egg production by the 28 th -day post-treatment. Albendazole showed significantly higher FECR% as compared to Shahtra and Kalonji treated groups (p≤0.01). FECR% on day 28 showed no significant difference between Albendazole, NLE 100 and NLE 150 (p>0.05). The three medicinal plant extracts showed a limited efficacy against H. contortus indicated by FECR% when compared with untreated animals. However, the efficacy of NLE 100 was closest to Albendazole showing its potential as an anthelmintic (p>0.05).