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Anti-trypanosomal
effects of chloroform extracts of Artemisia herba-alba against
Trypanosoma evansi infection in rabbits: clinical, parasitological
and haemato-biochemical responses |
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Fathy Mohamed Ali Awad a*, Abdinasir Yusuf Osmanb,
Zainal Abidin
Abu-Hassan c, and Nazlina Ibrahima
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aSchool of Biosciences and
Biotechnology, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi,
Selangor, Malaysia; bFaculty of Veterinary Medicine,
University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
cFaculty of Medicine,
University Teknologi MARA UiTM, Shah
Alam Selangor, Malaysia
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Abstract |
Haemato-parasitic infections
are major causes of reduced productivity in livestock worldwide. For
many centuries, chemotherapy has been used extensively, regardless their
side-effects, on livestock production. Phytomedical options have been
suggested as an alternative approach to treat parasitism and improve
performance of livestock. However, scientific evidence on antiparasitic
efficacy of most plant products is critically limited. The present study
was conducted to validate the anti-trypanosomal properties of chloroform
extracts of Artemisia herba-alba
in
vivo. A total of
thirty rabbits (n=30) of approximately 5-6 months old, weighing about
1.5-2.5 kg were divided into six main groups of five animals each. The
course of Trypanosoma evansi infection in rabbits was followed
for 48 days post-infection. Animals were closely observed for clinical
examination. Blood samples were collected for haematological and
biochemical purposes. Animals of the infected group demonstrated
depression and weakness, lethargy and pale mucous membranes. In these
animals, parasites were detected from day 2 post-infection until the end
of the experiment. Similarly, parasites were detected from day 2
post-infection in animals treated with chloroform extracts of
Artemisia herba-alba. However, in these treated animals, elevating
levels of parasitemia followed by intermixed and aparasitemic levels
were detected. In contrast, animals of infected group showed reduction
in the levels of blood indices (PCV, Hb, RBCs and WBC) and alterations
in biochemical values. Unlikely, animals treated with chloroform
extracts of Artemisia herba-alba revealed normal
haematological
and biochemical values thereby confirming their antiparasitic
properties.
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Keywords:
chloroform; Artemisia herba-alba; Trypanosoma evansi;
Parasitism; haematology; biochemistry; rabbits |
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To cite this article:
Awad FMA, A Yusuf Osman,
ZA Abu-Hassan and N Ibrahim, 2013.
Anti-trypanosomal effects of chloroform extracts of
Artemisia herba-alba against trypanosoma evansi infection
in rabbits: clinical, parasitological and haemato-biochemical responses.
Res.
Opin. Anim. Vet. Sci., 3(11), 426-434. |
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