In vivo anthelmintic activity of Callistemon rigidus ethanolic extract on Haemonchus contortus in goats

Abstract

The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the in vivo anthelmintic activity of ethanolic extract of Callistemon rigidus on goat and define the probable involved phytochemical compounds. Phytochemical contents were determined by chemical comparison using gallic acid and rutin as standards. Twenty goats were artificially infected with 3,000 larvae of Haemonchus contortus. There were divided in five groups of four animals. The first three groups were treated with the extract of the plant at 125; 250 and 500 mg/kg respectively. The forth group was treated with albendazole at 5 mg/kg. The fifth group received distilled water. Weight, blood and fecal samples were collected before treatment and once a week after treatment in order to evaluate the body weight gain; the Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and the percentage of reduction of fecal eggs. On the day 43, animals were slaughtered and the total worm count was evaluated. The fertility of females H. contortus was evaluated by counting the number of eggs in utero. The ethanol extracted polyphenols (56.801 ± 0.40 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (8.628 ± 0.07 mg RE/g), tannins (20.93 ± 0.28 mg CE/g) and saponins (548 ± 13.54 mg/g). Oral administration of this extract of C. rigidus has induced a reduction of the fecal egg excretion; parasite load and fertility of female’s parasite. The PCV and the body weight gain reveal the efficacy of the extract plant on H. contortus. C. rigidus could be used as alternative anthelmintic for control of H. contortus.