Invitro Anticoccidial Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Neem Leaves (Azadirachta indica) On Coccidia Oocysts

Abstract

Coccidiosis over the years has been one of the most important poultry parasitic disease which has led to huge economic losses as such the need mitigate this menace becomes inevitable. Neem plants extract was used in this study. Neem plant leaves was harvested and dried at 50degree Celsius in a hot air oven and grinded. 100g of powder was macerated in 1.5 litres of ethanol and stirred daily at 3 hours’ interval for 72 hours and then filtered using whatman paper No3. The filterate was concentrated by evaporating the solvent at 75degree Celsius using a rotatory evaporator (Buchi R -200) to obtain the extract. The extract was prepared at different concentration of 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg/ml and dissolved with Dimethyl sulphoxide (Dmso). The diluted extract was transferred into petri-dishes and placed equal amount of oocysts (100 oocysts) was also added then incubated at 28-30 degree Celsius for 24-48 hours. The sporozoites were counted using malasses counting chamber. The number of viable sporozoites and non-viable sporozoites was estimated by counting the number of sporozoites in a total 100 oocysts. The result showed parasite recovery rate of 63.0, 18.2, 27.6, 52.9 and 55.1% for control, 50, 40, 30 and 20mg/ml respectively. Similarly, the result showed parasites in inhibition rate of 27.0, 45.0, 42.0, 32.0 and 31.0% for control 50, 40, 30 and 20mg/ml respectively. The findings indicate 50mg/ml concentration to have given the best parasite inhibition effect. It is established in this study that Neem plant extract can serve as an alternative to synthetic anticoccodia drugs and hence it’s use is encouraged as it cheaper and readily available in the study area.