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. 2016:2016:4692424.
doi: 10.1155/2016/4692424. Epub 2016 Feb 16.

Therapeutic and Safety Evaluation of Combined Aqueous Extracts of Azadirachta indica and Khaya senegalensis in Chickens Experimentally Infected with Eimeria Oocysts

J G Gotep  1 , J T Tanko  2 , G E Forcados  1 , I A Muraina  1 , N Ozele  1 , B B Dogonyaro  3 , O O Oladipo  1 , M S Makoshi  1 , O B Akanbi  4 , H Kinjir  5 , A L Samuel  1 , T E Onyiche  6 , G O Ochigbo  7 , O B Aladelokun  8 , H A Ozoani  9 , V Z Viyoff  10 , C C Dapuliga  11 , A A Atiku  1 , P A Okewole  4 , D Shamaki  12 , M S Ahmed  12 , C I Nduaka  13
Affiliations

Therapeutic and Safety Evaluation of Combined Aqueous Extracts of Azadirachta indica and Khaya senegalensis in Chickens Experimentally Infected with Eimeria Oocysts

J G Gotep et al. J Parasitol Res. 2016.

Abstract

Coccidiosis is a disease of economic importance in poultry causing morbidity and mortality. Reports show that Azadirachta indica and Khaya senegalensis have been used individually in the treatment of avian coccidiosis. We thus investigated the efficacy and safety of the combined aqueous extracts of these plants for the treatment of experimentally induced coccidiosis in broiler chickens using oocyst count, oxidative stress biomarkers, serum biochemistry, histology, and haematological parameters. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, and steroids in both extracts. In addition, alkaloids and flavonoids were present in Azadirachta indica. There was significant (p < 0.05) dose dependent decrease in oocyst count across the treatment groups with 400 mg/kg of the combined extract being the most efficacious dose. Immunomodulatory and erythropoietic activity was observed. There were decreased intestinal lesions and enhanced antioxidant activity across the treatment groups compared to the negative control. Administration of the combined extract did not cause damage to the liver as ALT, AST, and ALP levels were significantly reduced in the uninfected chickens treated with the extracts compared to control suggesting safety at the doses used. The combined aqueous extracts of K. senegalensis stem bark and Azadirachta indica leaves were ameliorative in chickens infected with coccidiosis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Therapeutic effect of combined extract of Azadirachta indica and Khaya senegalensis on oocyst count of chicken infected with Eimeria oocysts. NEG = negative control (infected, not treated). POS = positive control (infected and treated with amprolium).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effect of the combined extracts on weight gain of chickens infected with Eimeria oocysts.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Effect of combined extracts of Azadirachta indica and Khaya senegalensis on catalase activity in the intestine of chickens infected with Eimeria oocysts.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effect of combined extracts of Azadirachta indica and Khaya senegalensis on glutathione (GSH) levels of the intestine of chickens infected with Eimeria oocysts.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Effect of combined extracts of Azadirachta indica and Khaya senegalensis on lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA) of chickens infected with Eimeria oocysts.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Effect of combined extracts of Azadirachta indica and Khaya senegalensis on superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of the intestine of chickens infected with Eimeria oocysts.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Photomicrograph of the intestine of chickens infected with Eimeria oocysts and treated with graded doses of the combined extract and control. (a) 100 mg/kg: combined extract of KS and AI treatment; moderate cryptic destruction and intracryptic developmental stages of Eimeria H&E: ×400. (b) 200 mg/kg: intestine infected with Eimeria spp.; moderate cryptic destruction and intracryptic developmental stages of Eimeria and intestinal fibrosis H&E: ×400. (c) Amprolium 10 mg/L: chicken, intestine, moderate cryptic destruction and ectasia, intracryptic developmental stages of Eimeria, and intestinal fibrosis H&E: ×400. (d) 400 mg/kg extract: moderate cryptic destruction and intracryptic developmental stages of Eimeria H&E: ×: 400. (e) Control (−ve) intestine infected with Eimeria spp.; severe cryptic destruction and intracryptic developmental stages of Eimeria and intestinal fibrosis H&E: ×400.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Effect of combined aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica and Khaya senegalensis on reduced glutathione (GSH) levels of the liver of healthy chickens. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM where n = 5. aSignificant as compared with control (p < 0.05).
Figure 9
Figure 9
Effect of combined aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica and Khaya senegalensis on superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) of the liver of healthy chickens. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM where n = 5. aSignificant as compared with control (p < 0.05).
Figure 10
Figure 10
Effect of combined aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica and Khaya senegalensis on catalase activity of the liver of healthy chickens. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM where n = 5. aSignificant as compared with control (p < 0.05).
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