Effects of garlic, turmeric and betel leaf against gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, for a period of 28 days to study the effects of garlic (Allium sativum, Linn., @100mg/kg bwt.), turmeric (Curcuma longa, Linn., @100mg/kg bwt.)  and betel leaf (Piper betle, Linn., @100mg/kg bwt.) against natural gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle. The effects of garlic, turmeric and betel leaf on some hematological parameters (TEC, Hb, PCV and TLC), biochemical parameters (ALT and AST) and clinical parameter (body weight) were also observed. Twenty four (24) naturally parasitized cattle of BAU Dairy Farm, Mymensingh were randomly divided into four groups, each consisting of six (6) cattle. Water extract of bulbs of garlic were administered orally to the cattle of group A. Cattle of group B received orally water extract of rhizome of turmeric. Cattle of group C were treated orally with leaves of betel leaf. Cattle of group D was kept as infected control group. Fecal samples, body weight, hematological and biochemical parameters were examined before treatment and on 3^rd, 10^th, 17^th and 28^th day. A significant (p < 0.01) reduction of EPG count was found following administration of garlic (20.41-40.81%), turmeric (6.09-19.27%) and betel leaf (2.91-9.8%) in cattle. The EPG count of the control group (D) were significantly (p < 0.01) increased up to the last day of experimental period. After treatment with garlic and turmeric total erythrocyte count (TEC), hemoglobin (Hb) content and packed cell volume (PCV) were gradually increased significantly (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) in cattle. Conversely, the total leukocyte count (TLC) were decreased significantly (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) in treated cattle. On the other hand, TEC, Hb content and PCV were gradually increased significantly (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) on day 3 and day 10 in betel leaf treated cattle but decreased on 17^th and 28^th day. Conversely, the total leukocyte count (TLC) were decreased significantly (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) on day 3 and day 10 in betel leaf treated cattle but increased significantly (p < 0.01) on 17^th and 28^th day. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level were not significantly changed in the cattle. The body weight was increased significantly (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) in garlic, turmeric and betel leaf treated cattle. On the other hand, body weight was decreased in untreated control group. The present study reveals that water extracts of garlic were moderately effective and turmeric and betel leaf were relatively less effective against gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle.

Key words: Nematodes, garlic, turmeric, betel, leaf, cattle

DOI = 10.3329/bjvm.v6i1.1349

Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2008). 6 (1): 115-119