Efficacy of Tephrosia vogelli and Vernonia amygdalina as anthelmintics against Ascaridia galli in indigenous chicken

Abstract

The efficacy of Tephrosia vogelli and Vernonia amygdalina leaf extracts as anthelmintic against Ascaridia galli was determined in-vitro and in-vivo.The extracts whose chemical constituents included rotenoids, sesquiterpene lactones, glycosides, anthracenes and tannins, had significant (p<0.05) activity against Ascaridia galli both in-vitro and in-vivo. The in-vitro larval migration inhibition of 74.7 and 63.7 % was supported by the faecal egg count reduction of 77.4 and 76.9 and reduced total worm counts at necropsy for Tephrosia vogelli and Vernonia amygdalina extracts, respectively. The results have demonstrated that the extracts of the two plants have significant activity against the chicken parasite Ascaridia galli and can be integrated in indigenous chicken health management system.