COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF THE SELECTED INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL PLANTS WITH A PATENT DRUG LEVAMISOLE AGAINST ASCARIASIS IN VILLAGE POULTRY

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, during the period from July 2005 to November 2006 to study the comparative efficacy of indigenous medicinal plants Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Bothua (Chenopodium album) with a patent drug Levamisole (Poulnex^®) against Ascariasis. Sixty ascarid infected chickens were randomly divided into 6 equal groups and treatment schedule were as follows: Group A = Controlled (Infected), Group B = Levamisole 30mg/kg b. wt; Group C = Neem 1gm/kg b. wt. (Alcoholic extract); Group D = Neem 1gm/kg b. wt. (crude extract); Group E = Bothua 1gm/kg body wt. (Alcoholic extract) Group F = Bothua 1gm/kg body wt. (Crude extract) orally once at a time and closely observed for 28 days. Fecal egg count (EPG) were 100% reduced in Levamisole and Neem (alcoholic and water extract) treated groups. On the other hand EPG were somewhat increased in other three groups. Body weight TEC, Hb and PCV were increased significantly in above mentioned three groups (Levamisole and both groups of Neem) and decreased in rest three groups but TLC and ESR were decreased significantly. After post mortem examination no parasites were found in three groups of treated poultry (Levamisole and both groups of Neem). Parasites were remained available (17-24 numbers) in rest three groups. So it is concluded that Neem (Azadirachta indica) and levamisole is equally effective but Bothua (Chenopodium album) is completely ineffective against Ascariasis in village poultry.