In vitro antitrematodal efficacy of selected medicinal plant extracts against adult liver flukes in cattle slaughtered at Soroti city abattoir

Abstract

Liver flukes, particularly Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, pose a significant health threat to cattle, leading to substantial economic losses in the livestock industry. Synthetic anthelmintic treatments have been associated with issues such as drug resistance and environmental concerns, prompting the need for alternative control strategies. Medicinal plants have been recognized for their potential therapeutic properties, offering a promising avenue for the development of effective, sustainable treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antitrematodal efficacy of selected medicinal plant extracts against adult liver flukes in cattle slaughtered at Soroti City Abattoir. The present study was envisaged to evaluate the efficacy of ethno-medicinal plant aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica and Zanthoxylum chalybeum in vitro in comparison with the chemotherapeutic agent, Oxyclozanide on Fasciola species adults where adult liver flukes were cultured in different concentrations of the treatments. The efficacy was evaluated by gross visual motility and mortality of Fasciola species with score index. Based on the in vitro trials conducted, the extracts of Z. chalybeum showed flukicidal effect at various concentration. However A. indica was less effective compared to the control treatment. Based on the research findings, Z. chalybeum can be used as a natural alternative to synthetic anthelmintics. There is need conduct in vivo studies to confirm the efficacy and safety of Z. chalybeum against liver flukes in cattle. Furthermore, there is need for combining Neem extract with other plants to enhance its efficacy.