Vol. 4, Issue 1, Part A (2019)

Author(s): HA Ibekwe

Abstract: For centuries, medicinal plants have been used to combat parasitism, and in many parts of the world they are still being used for this purpose. The in vitro anthelmintic properties of Azadirachta indica on Paramphistomum cervi and Fasciola hepactica was investigated in this study. Five different concentrations of Azadirachta indica crude leaf extract (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10mg/ml) were prepared and administered in vitro in sample petridishes containing P. cervi and F. hepatica collected from cattle slaughtered at Apiapum abattoir. A total of 10 of each of the parasites were kept inside each sample petridish. Mortality of the parasites was monitored for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 hour respectively. The mean cumulative mortality and probit analysis were performed to determine the lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of the plant crude leaf extract on the parasite. The anthelmintic activities of Azadirachta indica plant was found to be time and concentration dependent. Cumulative mortality (%) range from 10.10 – 23.33% at the end of 5 hour at normal control (0mg/ml) and 0.00 -23.33% for reference control in all the parasites. At the highest concentration (10mg/ml) of A. indica, 100% mortality was attained in just 2 hours of exposure of P. cervi whereas 3 hours was required to achieve the same result for F. hepatica. The LC₅₀ values decreased with increase in time of exposure for both species of parasites. The 5h LC₅₀ of A. indica (1.65mg/ml) recorded against P. cervi was higher than the corresponding values 1.44 for Fasciola hepatica. A. indica therefore exhibited anthelmentic activities against both trematodes in vitro with higher lethality to F. hepatica relative to P. cervi which is both concentration and time dependent.