In Vivo Activity of Crude Aqueous Methanolic Extract of Musa Paradisiaca Against Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Sheep

Abstract

An experimental study was conducted from January to August 2018 in Mekelle to evaluate the in vivo anthelmintic activity of crude aqueous methanolic extract of Musa paradisiaca leaves against mixed gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep. The animals were divided into two groups: Group A (n = 4) for acute toxicity testing and Group B (n = 16) for the main experiment. Group B was further subdivided into four groups (n = 4 each) based on fecal egg count. The first two groups received the plant extract at doses of 200 and 600 mg/kg, respectively; the third group was treated with Albendazole at 7.5 mg/kg; and the fourth group served as an untreated control. Anthelmintic activity was assessed using fecal egg count reduction, larval count, packed cell volume, live body weight, and total worm count before and after treatment. The highest reduction in eggs per gram of feces was 68% and 65.8% at 200 and 600 mg/kg, respectively, on day 12 post-treatment. Larval count reductions were 60.2% and 57.2% at the lower and higher doses, respectively. The extract had no significant effect on PCV or body weight. Post-mortem results showed high efficacy against male Ostertagia triuracata and Ostertagia circumcincta, but no effect on male Ostertagia (Marshalgia) marshalli and female Haemonchus contortus. Overall, Musa paradisiaca demonstrated moderate in vivo anthelmintic activity, with greater efficacy against male than female worms. These findings suggest its potential as an alternative treatment option in areas with high drug resistance and residue concerns.