Anthelmintic effects of Salix babylonica L. and Leucaena leucocephala Lam. extracts in growing lambs

Anthelmintic Activity of Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. Against Ascaridia galli, a Pathogenic Nematode in Poultry: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

AIM OF THE STUDY

The growing resistance of helminth parasites to currently available commercial anthelmintic drugs, combined with apprehensions regarding detrimental chemical residues in livestock products, has sparked an interest in exploring medicinal plants as an alternative strategy for treating helminthiasis. As a result, this study was designed to investigate the anthelmintic activity of crude methanolic extracts (CME) of Saussurea costus root on Ascaridia.galli, a pathogenic nematode of poultry.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vitro, the anthelmintic effect of Saussurea costus root was evaluated in comparison to commercial anthelmintic, levamisole on the adult nematode parasites, A.galli using worm motility inhibition (WMI) test. The CME of S.costus was also evaluated for in vivo anthelmintic activity in chickens experimentally infected with Ascaridia galli. For the in vivo study, one hundred-day-old chickens were orally infected with embryonated eggs of A. galli worms. The efficacy of the plant extract as an anthelmintic was assessed through two tests: faecal egg count reduction (FECR) test and worm count reduction (WCR) test. The study investigated three distinct doses of plant extract under in vivo setup: 500 mg kg-1 body weight (bw), 1000 mg kg-1 bw, and 2000 mg kg-1 bw.

RESULTS

In vitro, all the tested concentrations of S.costus (25 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml, and 100 mg/ml) showed a significant (P < 0.001) anthelmintic effects on live adult A. galli worms in terms of inhibition of worm motility at different hours post-treatment. At the highest concentration of the extract, we observed worm motility inhibition of 100% at 24 h post-exposure. On day 14 post-treatment, all birds were slaughtered, and adult A. galli worms were subsequently retrieved from their small intestines. Birds treated with CME extract of S. costus root exhibited a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in faecal egg count. However, the administration of the extract at the dosage of 500 mg kg-1bw to the birds did not reveal any significant (P > 0.05) differences in the worm count compared to the negative control group. The CME of S. costus at a dose of 2000 mg kg-1bw showed the highest anthelmintic activity by inducing 83.10% FECR and 76.47% WCR.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the root extract of S. costus has a promising anthelmintic activity on A. galli as demonstrated by the results of the present experiment.

A Multipurpose Leguminous Plant for the Mediterranean Countries: Leucaena leucocephala as an Alternative Protein Source: A Review

Simple Summary

The need to address the shortage of protein ingredients linked to both territoriality and growing demand pushes research to focus attention on alternative protein sources, both vegetable and animal (insects). This review describes the characteristics, uses, strengths, and weaknesses of Leucaena leucocephala, a legume that can be used in the zootechnical field as an alternative to traditional protein sources for feed formulation.

Abstract

In tropical and subtropical regions, as well as in the internal and/or marginal Mediterranean areas, one of the most important problems related to animal production is represented by the inadequate nutritional supplies. The low productivity of the animals, often connected to reduced annual growth, is, in fact, not infrequently attributable to the low nitrogen content and the high fiber content of the local plant species and crop residues that constitute the base ingredients of the rations commonly adopted by farmers. The use of the supplementation with arboreal and shrub fodder, although often containing anti-nutritional factors and toxins that limit its use, could be a profitable way to alleviate the nutritional deficiencies of the basic diets. Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit is native to Central America and widely naturalized in the majority of Latin American countries. It is a legume suitable for tropical and subtropical environments including the countries of the Mediterranean area. Moreover, its spread is desirable if we consider the multiple uses to which it is suitable, the considerable amount of biomass produced, and its role in preserving the environment. The aim of this work was to highlight the characteristics of Leucaena that can justify its wide diffusion. A structured analysis of strengths and weaknesses was performed accordingly. Being a good protein source for feeding livestock, it could be a species to be introduced in the inland areas of the Mediterranean countries as an alternative protein source; the limit represented by the presence of anti-nutritional factors could be overcome by feed processing and by launching targeted research programs.

Assessment on bioactive role of Moringa oleifera leaves as anthelmintic agent and improved growth performance in goats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioactive effect of Moringa oleifera leaves hydroalcoholic extract as a dietary feed additive on helminths load and growth performances of goats. Initially, the availability of bioactive compounds in M. oleifera hydroalcoholic extract was analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which showed the presence of heneicosane (35.69%), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid (22.89%), heptacosane (18.26%), pentatriacontane (4.77%), and hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester (3%) as predominant compounds in the leaves extract. The anthelmintic effect of M. oleifera extract (0 and 60 mL of extract animal^-1) was evaluated against disparate nematodes using standard methodology. M. oleifera leaves extract exhibited significant (P = 0.002) anthelmintic activities against Trichuris sp. and Ostertagia sp. with reduced counts of eggs. A completely randomized experiment of 3 treatments comprised of 10 goats in each treatment was designed for the growth performance study. Treatments used in the present experiment were as follows: treatment 1 (T1), 0 mL of extract animal^-1; treatment 2 (T2), 30 mL of extract animal^-1; and treatment 3 (T3), 60 mL of extract animal^-1. Growth performance parameters (body weight, daily weight gain, and feed intake values) of goats fed varied concentrations of M. oleifera extract were estimated as per standard protocols. The T2 and T3 groups' goats offered significant (P < 0.05) increment in body weight. Daily weight gain of the T2 and T3 groups' goats was also increased. Group T3 exhibited maximum feed intake value of 588, 678, 652, and 678 g d^-1 at 0, 30, 45, and 60 days, respectively. Feed conversion efficiency was increased for T2 and T3 groups' goats versus T1. Findings of this study concluded that M. oleifera hydroalcoholic extract can be used not only as an effective anthelmintic agent against disparate nematodes but also as a prominent feed additive to improve growth performances of goats.

Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Medicinal Uses of Plants of the Genus Salix: An Updated Review

The Willows (genus Salix), with more than 330–500 species and 200 hybrids, are trees, shrubs or prostrate plants that are widely distributed in Africa, North America, Europe, and Asia. The genus is traditionally used in folk medicine and represents a valuable source of biologically active compounds among them salicin, a prodrug for salicylic acid. Altogether, 322 secondary metabolites were characterized in the genus including flavonoids 94) (flavonols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, flavan-3-ols (catechins and procyanidins), chalcones, dihydrochalcone, anthocyanins, dihydroflavonols), phenolic glycosides (76), organic acids (28), and non-phenolic glycosides (17), sterols and terpenes (17), simple phenolics 13) and lignans 7) in addition to volatiles and fatty acids (69). Furthermore, willows exert analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antiobesity, neuroprotective and hepatoprotective activities. The current review provides an updated summary of the importance of willows, their chemical composition and pharmacological activities.

In vitro efficacy of Elephantorrhiza elephantina root extracts against adult Paramphistomum cervi in goats

Elephantorrhiza elephantina is a medicinally important plant whose roots are used to control gastrointestinal parasites in goats. The use of plant-based anthelmintics as potential alternatives to synthetic anthelmintics in controlling gastrointestinal worms in ruminants is a promising area of research. The study was carried out to ascertain the efficacy of E. elephantina in controlling goat trematodes. Standard procedures were used to quantify the phytochemicals in the water, ethanol and methanol root extracts of E. elephantina. The quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed that alkaloids (93.24 ± 1.68%), condensed tannins (450.52 ± 0.15 mg CE/g), flavonoids (803.93 ± 0.13 mg QE/g), phenols (476.11 ± 0.37 mg GAE/g) and saponins (83.28 ± 1.72%) were present in E. elephantina root extracts. Paramphistomum cervi adult worms recovered from the rumen of freshly slaughtered goats were used. In vitro screening of ethanol, methanol and water extracts of E. elephantina for potential anthelmintic activity against adult P. cervi worm motility showed time and dose-dependent significant effects. Ethanol extracts showed a highly significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of motility (86.67 and 96.67%) at concentrations 7.5 and 15 mg/mL respectively, after 12 h of treatment, while methanol and water extracts exhibited a significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of motility (96.67 and 66.67% respectively) at concentration of 15 mg/mL 16 h post-exposure. Our findings confirm the efficacy of E. elephantina in controlling goat trematodes.

The Potential Effect of Dietary Tannins on Enteric Methane Emission and Ruminant Production, as an Alternative to Antibiotic Feed Additives – A Review

Antibiotic growth promoters in livestock nutrition cause microbial resistance which produces threats to human health. Therefore, tannins have been considered as natural alternative antibiotic feed additives which possess various biological properties including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory. Additionally, these plants also have antiparasitic and anti-bloat characteristics which contribute to inhibit the enteric methane emission in order to improve nutrient digestibility, milk and meat quality, fatty acids composition and ruminant production. Antibiotic growth promoters have been practiced in animals feeding to increase feed intake, growth rate, weight gain as well as reduce metabolic disorders and energy losses in the rumen. In 2006, the European Union banned the usage of antibiotic growth promoters in the feeding of livestock. This antibiotic resistance issue has increased demand to explore the natural feed additives that might be useful for animal production system. Consequently, natural forages have been categorized as potential feed additives in animal production since it improves nutritive value, protein digestibility, increase amino acid absorption and growth rate. But, some plant materials are usually rich in tannins known as anti-nutritional factors. Therefore, the application of tannin-rich plants in ruminant nutrition needs great precaution due to its possible injurious effects (dose dependent) on animal health such as metabolic disorders. Hence, there is need to give attention to the usage of tannins in ruminant nutrition as an alternative to antibiotics feed additives to investigate its effects on enteric methane emissions and ruminants production. In addition, safety and risk associated with tannins feeding have also been briefly discussed.

Galloyl flavonoids from Acacia farnesiana pods possess potent anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus eggs and infective larvae

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE

Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd is a shrub legume used as condiment, medicinal plant and bioactive herbage. This species is used in traditional medicine of several countries to relieve the symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases, diarrhoea, stomach pain and typhoid as well as astringent, antidysenteric and anthelmintic. Some studies have shown that this plant displayed anthelmintic activity against several gastrointestinal nematode parasites of livestock, and also against parasites of human beings, such as malaria.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This work describes the isolation and chemical identification of the anthelmintic compounds of Acacia farnesiana pods against eggs and infective larvae of the sheep parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus. The bio-guided chemical fractioning of A. farnesiana pods using ethyl acetate against H. contortus eggs and infective larvae allowed for the identification of naringenin 7-O-(6″-galloylglucoside) (flavonol group) as the compound responsible for the anthelmintic activity against this important parasitic nematode.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Anthelmintic activity was assessed using the egg hatching inhibition assay (EHI) and mortality tests. A complete hydroalcoholic extract (HA-E) at 12.5-50 mg/mL, an aqueous fraction (Aq-F) at 3.12-25 mg/mL and an ethyl acetate fraction (EtOAc-F) at 3.12-25 mg/mL were analysed in the first selection phase. The purification of compounds through the chromatographic separation of the organic fraction resulted in nine less complex mixtures (C1F1, C1F2, C1F3, C1F4, C2F1, C2F2, C2F3, C2F4 and C2F5) that were assessed at 0.62-5 mg/mL concentrations. In addition, thiabendazole (0.6 mg/mL) and ivermectin (5 mg/mL) were used as positive controls. Likewise, distilled water and 4% methanol were used as negative controls. The bioactive compounds of EtOAc-F were obtained and characterised through chromatographic processes like open column chromatography, thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and gass chromatography-mass detection (GC-MS). Bioactive compounds were identified by spectroscopy (¹H and ¹³C NMR) and mass spectrometric analysis. Additionally, the H. contortus eggs and infective larvae exposed to the bioactive compounds were observed through environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Data were analysed based on a completely randomised design using ANOVA through a general linear model.

RESULTS

The EtOAc-F fraction showed the highest ovicidal and larvicidal activities, at close to 100% at 3.12 and 6.25 mg/mL, respectively. The treatments C1F2, C1F3 and C2F3 displayed the main ovicidal activity (80-100%) at 2.5 mg/mL. The major compounds found in these sub-fractions were identified as galloyl derivatives and flavanones, including gallic acid (1), methyl gallate (2), ethyl gallate (3), naringin (4), naringenin 7-O-(4″, 6″-digalloylglucoside) (5), naringenin 7-O-(6″-galloylglucoside) (6) and naringenin (7). Likewise, the ESEM and CLSM images showed that the assessed compounds adhered to the eggshell and the external cuticle of the larvae.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that A. farnesiana pods contain nematocidal compounds and might be promising natural anthelmintic agents against H. contortus. This leguminous plant could be used as a nutraceutical food source for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes in small ruminants.

Salix babylonica L. as a Natural Anticoccidial Alternative in Growing Rabbits

Coccidiosis in rabbit production is responsible for high morbidity, mortality, and economic losses. The use of natural antimicrobial substances in rabbits represents a promising way to improve their health and production. The aim of the present study was to assess the activity of Salix babylonica hydroalcoholic extract (SBHE) on the elimination of Eimeria spp. in rabbits. The phytochemical compounds and chemical composition of SBHE were determined. The cytotoxicity of SBHE was determined by a microwell assay using Artemia salina. Twenty-five New Zealand rabbits, 28 days old and 872 ± 171 g body weight (BW), were used in a completely randomized design. The rabbits were assigned to five groups of five rabbits, control group (A) received only basal diet (BD), B group received BD + 25 mg/kg BW of SBHE, C group received BD + 50 mg/kg BW of SBHE, D group received BD + 100 mg/kg BW of SBHE, and E group received BD + coccidiostat Baycox® (75 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days. Feces samples were collected at days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28; morphological and morphometric identifications of Eimeria were carried out by the flotation technique and counting of oocysts by the McMaster technique. The rabbits were found naturally infected with Eimeria spp. The SBHE present phytochemicals with anticoccidial activity, and the cytotoxicity test indicate that this extract is nontoxic. This study demonstrates that oral administration of SBHE at 25 and 50 mg/kg BW reduced the release of oocysts per gram of feces. This effect was observed at day 14 and had the most significant effect at day 28 for both concentrations. The results indicate that SBHE could be a natural alternative for the control of coccidiosis in rabbit production.

The first assessment of the stress inducible defense of Leucaena leucocephala with acaricidal potential effect against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

Abstract Plants respond to wounding caused by mechanical stress or herbivory by synthesizing defense proteins. There are no studies reporting the action of induced plant proteins against ticks. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mechanically wounded Leucaena leucocephala leaves against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Initially, we carried out time course experiments to evaluate the impact of mechanical wounding on the protein content and the peroxidase, catalase and protease inhibitor activities in L. leucocephala. We then evaluated the acaricidal activity on R. (B.) microplus from protein extract collected from L. leucocephala after mechanical wounding. L. leucocephala leaves were artificially wounded, and after 6, 12, 24 and 48h, the leaves were collected for protein extraction. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the proteins were performed. The protein content and peroxidase and protease activities increased 12h after wounding, and the acaricidal activity of this protein extract was evaluated using engorged R. (B.) microplus females. The protein extract obtained after wounding reduced egg production (8.5%) compared to those without wounding. Furthermore, the extract reduced egg hatching by 47.7% and showed an overall efficacy of 56.3% at 0.1 mgP/mL of the protein. We demonstrated that L. leucocephala defensive proteins could be effective against R. (B.) microplus.