Phytochemical Screening and Anthelmintic Potency of Extract Formulations from Azadirachta indica Against Haemonchus contortus

Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences | Vol. 12, No. 2, February 2026 | pp. 44–48

DOI: 10.46882/2026.AAAS.120209

Research Article

Title: Phytochemical Screening and Anthelmintic Potency of Extract Formulations from Azadirachta indica Against Haemonchus contortus

Names of Authors: Mwangi, J. N.¹, Osei, C. A.², and Bekele, T.³

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Animal Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Juja, Kenya. ²Department of Animal Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. ³Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal nematode infestations, particularly involving Haemonchus contortus, cause major economic losses within small ruminant production systems. Widespread anthelmintic resistance to synthetic commercial drugs requires evaluating alternative botanical options. This study assessed the in vitro anthelmintic efficacy of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica (Neem) against egg hatching and larval development phases of H. contortus. Phytochemical profiles revealed high concentrations of condensed tannins, saponins, and azadirachtin compounds. The ethanolic extract formulation produced an LC50 value of 1.45 mg/mL during egg hatch assays, completely blocking larval development at 4.0 mg/mL concentrations. Microscopic checks showed structural damage to the nematode outer cuticle layer and cuticular scaling after 24 hours of exposure. Adult worm motility assessments showed paralytic effects comparable to reference albendazole treatments (p is less than 0.05). The findings confirm that A. indica derivatives contain bioactive compounds capable of breaking livestock parasite lifecycles.

Keywords: Ethno-veterinary medicine; Neem extract; Haemonchus contortus; Small ruminants; Parasite management; Anthelmintic efficacy.

Manuscript Timeline: Received November 08, 2025; Revised January 03, 2026; Accepted January 28, 2026; Published February 28, 2026.

Citation: Mwangi, J. N., Osei, C. A., and Bekele, T. (2026). Phytochemical Screening and Anthelmintic Potency of Extract Formulations from Azadirachta indica Against Haemonchus contortus. Advances in Agriculture and Agricultural Sciences, 12(2), pp. 44–48.

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