Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate Anogeissus leiocarpus leaf and Daniellia oliveristem barks as effective remedy for gastrointestinal parasites. The anthelmintic activity of these extracts on eggs, first stage larvae and adults of Haemonchus contortus was examined by in vitro tests. The extracts were prepared to obtain six increasing concentrations. This was done with Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) for egg hatch, embryonated egg assays (75, 150, 300, 600, 1 200 and 2 400 µg/ml) and adult inhibition of motility assay (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg/ml). PBS and levamisole (at 0.125 µg/ml in PBS) were used as negative and positive control groups, respectively. Both plant extracts induced anthelmintic effects on the three life-cycle stages of H. contortus and these effects were significantly different when they were compared to the negative control group (PBS) (P<0.05). The effect was dose-dependent on egg hatching and first stage larvae (L₁) but not on adult worms. Magnitude of effect was proportional to concentration of plant extracts for egg hatching and L₁ but not for adult worms. Besides, the results showed that the D. oliveri stem bark extract was more ovicidal and larvicidal than A. leiocarpus leaves. It is concluded that these two plants do really possess anthelmintic properties.

Key words: Anthelmintic, leaf, stem bark, extracts, Anogeissus leiocarpus,Daniellia oliveri, Haemonchus contortus.