Incidence of Gastro-Intestinal Nematodes of Cattle in Rajshahi and Anthelmintic Efficacy of Medicinal Plants and Patent Drugs against Them

Abstract

The experiment was performed in the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Faculty of Agriculture and University of Rajshahi in collaboration with the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The prevalence of gastro-intestinal nematodes was observed in 400 randomly selected cattle during the period from June, 2011 to May, 2012 in greater Rajshahi in Bangladesh. The prevalence of Ascaris sp., Strongyles (Haemonchus sp., Trichostrongylus sp., Oesophagostomum sp. and Mecistocirrus sp.), Bunostomum sp., Trichuris sp. Strongyloides sp. and mixed infection were 6.5%, 25.5%, 2.25%, 5% 5% and 10.5%, respectively. The seasonal prevalence of gastro-intestinal nematodes was significantly highest in rainy seasons (June-August) 79.8% followed by autumn (September- November) 57.7%, summer (March-May) 44.3% and winter seasons (December-February) 34.8%. The incidence of gastro-intestinal nematodes was highest in Rajshahi district followed by Natore district, Naogaon district and Chapai Nawabgonj district and the intradistrict prevalence of gastro-intestinal nematodes in cattle was ranged from 38-62.5%. The incidence of gastro-intestinal nematodes in cattle was highest134 (67.0%) in 12 to <24 months old cattle and lowest 22 (36.7%) in 1 to < 6 months old cattle and highest incidence was also observed in female. The incidence of gastro-intestinal nematodes was more in cross breed than local breed. The incidence of gastro-intestinal nematodes was highest in L×F genotype followed by in L×F×SL genotype, L×SL genotype and local breed. The incidence of gastro-intestinal nematodes was highest in the month of July. Screening of 10 indigenous medicinal plants (Neem, custard apple, papaya, garlic, bitter gourd, jute, chaste tree, pineapple, pomegranate and betel leaf) of Bangladesh having reported anthelmintic activity and to determine the comparative efficacy in-vitro. Within these 10 plants, 3 showed 100%, 2 showed 90% and others showed 60-70% efficacy in water extract at the concentration of 100 mg/ml against adult worms. On the other hand, 5 showed 100% efficacy, 3 showed 90% and others showed 80% efficacy in ethanol extract at the concentration of 100 mg/ml among these 10 plants against adult worms. Ethanol extracts were more effective than water extracts against adult worms. Among 10 tested plants 2 medicinal plants (neem and korolla) and 2 patent drugs (Ivertin® and Levavet® were administered against gastro-intestinal nematodes in cattle for in vivo trail. Twenty five (25) naturally parasitized female cattle of Binodpur, Rajshahi, were selected for efficacy study of 2 indigenous medicinal plants and 2 patent drugs in-vivo. The animals were divided into five (5) groups (A, B, C, D, and E), each group consisting of five (5) cattle. Ethanol extract of leaves of neem @100 mg/kg b. wt and bitter gourd @100 mg/kg b. wt were administered orally to the cattle of group B and C respectively. Cattle of group D and E were treated with ivermectin (Ivertin®) @ 0.2 mg/kg body weight pour on and levamisole (Levavet®) @ 7.5 mg/kg b. wt. respectively. Cattle of group A was kept as infected control group. Prior to trials (day 0), initial body weight, total egg count of gastro-intestinal nematodes, biochemical, hematological and clinical parameters were examined and recorded. During the experimental period, faecal samples were examined on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day. Clinical (body weight), haematological (TEC, Hb, PCV, TLC, DLC, MCV, MCHC and MCH) and biochemical parameters (ALT and AST) were also observed on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day for the determination of effects of neem, bitter gourd, Ivertin® and Levavet®. In-vivo neem showed highest egg reduction among tested plants and ivermectin pour on showed 100% egg reduction. Anthelmintic treatment showed increased values than control for the TEC, Hb, PCV, neutrophil count of DLC, MCHC and MCH, decreased values for TLC and eosinophil count of DLC, very little changed values for monocyte count and lymphocyte count of DLC and no change was found in ALT and AST in cattle. G.I. nematodiasis is a great problem in Bangladesh especially in greater Rajshahi and the data generated from this study revealed that Ivermectin is drug of choice, levamisole is a good drug and as an alternative, farmers could use neem and bitter gourd with good therapeutic value.