ISSN 2756-3391
African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 5, May 2026 | pp. 33–40
DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/100005
Article Type: Full Length Research Paper
Title: Efficacy of ethanolic extracts of Azadirachta indica and Carica papaya against gastrointestinal nematodes in West African Dwarf goats
Names of Authors: Ibrahim K. Bello¹, Ousmane S. Diallo², Fatouma B. Traore¹
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Nouakchott, Nouakchott, Mauritania. ²Ecole Inter-Etats des Sciences et Medecine Veterinaires, Dakar, Senegal.
Abstract: Anthelmintic resistance among small ruminant nematodes necessitates the exploration of phytotherapeutic alternatives. This controlled in vivo trial evaluated the faecal egg count reduction and packed cell volume restoration efficacy of crude ethanolic leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem) and Carica papaya (pawpaw) administered to 50 West African Dwarf goats naturally infected with mixed gastrointestinal strongyles (Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus species). Caprine subjects were randomized into five experimental groups (n = 10 per group): positive control (albendazole 5 milligrams per kilogram), negative control (distilled water), low-dose plant extract combination (200 milligrams per kilogram body weight), high-dose plant extract combination (400 milligrams per kilogram body weight), and single high-dose neem extract (400 milligrams per kilogram body weight). Treatments were administered orally for five consecutive days. Faecal egg counts performed on day 7, 14, and 21 post-treatment demonstrated peak faecal egg count reduction of 84.6 percent in the high-dose combination group and 79.2 percent in the single high-dose neem group, compared to 98.1 percent in the albendazole reference group. Packed cell volume improved significantly in the treated groups from 21.4 percent pre-treatment to 28.6 percent by day 21 (P < 0.05). Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of tannins, saponins, and flavonoids as active anthelmintic principles. These findings validate the ethnoveterinary application of these plant extracts as viable complementary control options.
Keywords: Ethnoveterinary medicine, Azadirachta indica, Carica papaya, Gastrointestinal nematodes, Anthelmintic efficacy, Goats
Manuscript Timeline: Received: 02 February 2010; Revised: 03 March 2010; Accepted: 01 April 2010; Published: 10 May 2010
Subscribe to read the full article: https://internationalscholarsjournals.org/subscribe-to-read