In vivo assessment of the antiparasitic effects of Allium sativum L. and Artemisia absinthium L. against gastrointestinal parasites in swine from low-input farms

• Published in: BMC veterinary research Vol. 20; no. 1; p. 126
• Main Authors: Băieş, Mihai-Horia, Cotuţiu, Vlad-Dan, Spînu, Marina, Mathe, Attila, Cozma-Petruț, Anamaria, Bolboacǎ, Sorana D, Engberg, Ricarda Margaret, Collin, Anne, Cozma, Vasile
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 01.04.2024; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Agriculture; Allium sativum; Analysis; Animal culture; Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Antiparasitic agents; Antiparasitic Agents - pharmacology; Antiparasitic Agents - therapeutic use; Artemisia absinthium; Bioflavonoids; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Diseases; Farms; Feces; Feces - parasitology; Female; Flavones; Flavonoids; Garlic; Gastrointestinal parasites; Health aspects; Hogs; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic - drug therapy; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic - parasitology; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic - veterinary; Intestinal parasites; Lactones; Life Sciences; Low-input farms; Morbidity; Parasites; Parasitic diseases; Phytotherapy; Polyphenols; Pork industry; Prevalence; Protozoa; Securities; Sesquiterpene lactones; Sterols; Sustainable development; Swine; Swine Diseases - drug therapy; Swine Diseases - parasitology; Testing; Tocopherols; Wormwood; Romania; Gastrointestinal parasites; Low-input farms; Garlic; Wormwood; Phytotherapeutic; Artemisia absinthium L
• ISSN: 1746-6148; 1746-6148
• DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-03983-3

Ethno-veterinary practices could be used as a sustainable developmental tool by integrating traditional phytotherapy and husbandry. Phytotherapeutics are available and used worldwide. However, evidence of their antiparasitic efficacy is currently very limited. Parasitic diseases have a considerable effect on pig production, causing economic losses due to high morbidity and mortality. In this respect, especially smallholders and organic producers face severe challenges. Parasites, as disease causing agents, often outcompete other pathogens in such extensive production systems. A total of 720 faecal samples were collected in two farms from three age categories, i.e. weaners, fatteners, and sows. Flotation (Willis and McMaster method), modified Ziehl-Neelsen stained faecal smear, centrifugal sedimentation, modified Blagg technique, and faecal cultures were used to identify parasites and quantify the parasitic load. The examination confirmed the presence of infections with Eimeria spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Balantioides coli (syn. Balantidium coli), Ascaris suum, Oesophagostomum spp., Strongyloides ransomi, and Trichuris suis, distributed based on age category. A dose of 180 mg/kg bw/day of Allium sativum L. and 90 mg/kg bw/day of Artemisia absinthium L. powders, administered for 10 consecutive days, revealed a strong, taxonomy-based antiprotozoal and anthelmintic activity. The results highlighted the therapeutic potential of both A. sativum and A. absinthium against gastrointestinal parasites in pigs. Their therapeutic effectiveness may be attributed to the content in polyphenols, tocopherols, flavonoids, sterols, sesquiterpene lactones, and sulfoxide. Further research is required to establish the minimal effective dose of both plants against digestive parasites in pigs.