The anthelmintic effect of aqueous methanol extract of Combretum molle (R. Br. x. G. Don) (Combretaceae) in lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus

• Published in: Veterinary parasitology Vol. 187; no. 1-2; pp. 280 - 284
• Main Authors: Simon, M.K., Ajanusi, O.J., Abubakar, M.S., Idris, A.L., Suleiman, M.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 08-06-2012
• Subjects: albendazole; Animals; Anthelmintic activity; Anthelmintics - administration & dosage; Anthelmintics - chemistry; Anthelmintics - therapeutic use; Combretum; Combretum - chemistry; Combretum molle; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Extraction; fecal egg count; Female; fruits; Haemonchiasis - drug therapy; Haemonchiasis - veterinary; Haemonchus - classification; Haemonchus contortus; lambs; leaves; Male; Medicinal plants; methanol; Methanol - chemistry; Plant Bark - chemistry; plant extracts; Plant Extracts - administration & dosage; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Plant Stems - chemistry; Sheep; Sheep Diseases - drug therapy; Sheep Diseases - parasitology; veterinary parasitology; Medicinal plants; Haemonchus contortus; Extraction; Combretum molle; Anthelmintic activity
• ISSN: 0304-4017; 1873-2550
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.12.022

The aqueous methanol extract from the stem-bark of Combretum molle was evaluated for anthelmintic activity in lambs infected with Haemonchus contortus using faecal egg count (FEC) reduction assay. The extract showed a dose-dependent reduction in FEC in infected animals. At doses of 500, 1000 and 2000mgkg–1, the extract caused FEC reduction of 63%, 69.25% and 96.23%, respectively. Similarly, the standard anthelmintic (albendazole) at a dose of 200mgkg–1 produced FEC reduction of 99.24%. FEC reduction produced by the extract at doses of 500 and 1000mgkg–1 is below the minimum standard of 90% FEC recommended by the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP). However, there was no significant (P>0.05) difference between the means of groups treated with 1000mgkg–1 and 2000mgkg–1 compared to that of albendazole. In this study, C. molle has shown a promising anthelmintic activity against experimental haemonchosis. Nonetheless, further studies to evaluate its detailed toxicity are required for the plant extract to be developed into a useful anthelmintic drug. There is also the need to evaluate other parts of the plant (root, leaves, fruits, etc.) for the same effect.