In vitro activity of Peltophorum africanum Sond. (Fabaceae) extracts on the egg hatching and larval development of the parasitic nematode Trichostrongylus colubriformis

• Published in: Veterinary parasitology Vol. 142; no. 3; pp. 336 - 343
• Main Authors: Bizimenyera, E.S., Githiori, J.B., Eloff, J.N., Swan, G.E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 20.12.2006
• Subjects: Acetone - chemistry; Animals; anthelmintics; chemical concentration; dose response; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; egg hatchability; Extracts; Fabaceae - chemistry; gastrointestinal nematodes; Growth and Development - drug effects; in vitro studies; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Larva - drug effects; larval development; Larvicidal; larvicides; Life Cycle Stages - drug effects; nematicidal properties; Ovicidal; ovicides; Ovum - drug effects; Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; Peltophorum; Peltophorum africanum; Plant Bark - chemistry; plant extracts; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Plant Leaves - chemistry; Sheep; Sheep Diseases - drug therapy; Sheep Diseases - parasitology; Trichostrongylosis - drug therapy; Trichostrongylosis - parasitology; Trichostrongylosis - veterinary; Trichostrongylus - drug effects; Trichostrongylus - growth & development; Trichostrongylus - isolation & purification; Trichostrongylus colubriformis; Peltophorum africanum; Extracts; Ovicidal; Larvicidal; Trichostrongylus colubriformis
• ISSN: 0304-4017; 1873-2550
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.06.013

Trichostrongylus colubriformis is an important cause of parasitic gastroenteritis in ruminants, where it causes protracted diarrhoea, rapid loss of weight, loss of production and death. The in vitro efficacy of extracts of Peltophorum africanum was determined against this parasitic nematode. Eggs and larvae of T. colubriformis were incubated at 23 °C in the extracts of the leaf, bark and root of P. africanum at concentrations of 0.008–25 mg ml −1 for 2 and 5 days, respectively. Thiabendazole and water were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Inhibition of egg hatching and larval development increased significantly ( P < 0.05) with increasing concentrations of the extracts. Concentrations of 0.2–1.0 mg ml −1 of the extracts of leaf, stem bark, and root bark of P. africanum completely inhibited the hatching of eggs and development of larvae. No eggs and larvae of T. colubriformis could be observed in wells incubated with all the three extracts at concentrations of 5 and 25 mg ml −1. The in vitro model results support the traditional use of P. africanum against nematode parasites. Further research is required to isolate and structurally identify the active anthelmintic compounds, and to improve methods of plant extraction of the effective anthelmintic components that will be readily adaptable for use by rural communities against helminthosis.