Authors : E.S. Bizimenyera , S. Meyer , V. Naidoo , J.N. Eloff and G.E. Swan
Abstract: The search for sustainable and easily affordable herbal medicines is on worldwide, prompted by emergency of anthelmintic resistance. Following substantially positive in vitro research, the efficacy and safety of extracts of Peltophorum africanum was determined against the parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep. Twenty four weaned male Dorper lambs were induced with infections (L3 infective stages) of Haemonchus contortus (2,800 each) and Trichostrongylus colubriformis (3,500 each). Four weeks later, the sheep were dosed with acetone extracts of P. africanum at doses of 50, 500 and 750 mg kg 1. The control group received no treatment. There was no significant (p = 0.073) faecal egg counts reductions at concentrations of up to 750 mg kg 1, or reduction in total worm burden. However, the extracts showed no deleterious effects on the sheep. Feed consumption remained the same for both treated and untreated controls. Further research on appropriate dosage form or on isolation of effective anthelmintic compounds from P. africanum is called for.
E.S. Bizimenyera , S. Meyer , V. Naidoo , J.N. Eloff and G.E. Swan , 2008. Efficacy of Peltophorum africanum Sond. (Fabaceae) Extracts on Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis in Sheep. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 7: 364-371.