Evaluation of anthelmintic potentials of Vernonia amygdalina and Dennettia tripetala against gastrointestinal parasite (Haemonchus contortus)

Abstract

Livestock farming is one of the major sources of income in communities, it is often threatened by gastrointestinal helminthic infections. This study investigates anthelmintic potential of V. amygdalina and D. tripetala against gastrointestinal parasite (Haemonchus contortus), one of the pathogenic parasites causing disease in ruminant animals.  A total of 24 male West Africa Dwarf goats were divided into six groups of four animals each and orally infected with 500 infective third stage (L₃) larvae of H. contortus. Extracts of V. amygdalina and D. tripetala were administered at 2,000 mg/mL and 4,000 mg/mL to infected goats, while albendazole and distilled water were used as positive and negative controls respectively. Faecal egg count, chemo suppression, haematological, biochemical and deparasitization rates were determined in the infected goats. Administration of 4,000 mg/mL extract of D. tripetala resulted in the lowest faecal egg count and the highest chemossuppression (92.42%), whereas V. amygdalina at 4,000 mg/mL had a higher faecal egg count and lowest chemossuppression (88.71%). The PCV, Hb, and RBC values of untreated infected animals were significantly lower (p<0.05) than those of treated animals. The biochemical results revealed significant increases in glucose, albumin, and urea levels in treated infected animals, while creatinine, AST and ALT levels were reduced in the treated infected animals. The results showed that both plants possess anthelmintic potential against H. contortus in goats. Incorporating these plants into animal feed and pharmaceutical preparations could be an important strategy for reducing the prevalence of helminthic infections in livestock.