Anticoccidial Efficacy of Azadirachta Indica and Lippia Adoensis Methanolic Leaf Extracts in Experimentally Infected Broiler Chickens
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Date
2025
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Coccidiosis is a persistently prevalent parasitic disease in the poultry industry. Currently a range of anticoccidial drugs are employed to prevent and treat the disease. However, their diminishing effectiveness has raised serious concern compelling researchers to exploring for safer, plant-based alternatives. This study has evaluated anticoccidial effect of methanolic leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica and Lippia adoensis in experimentally infected broiler chickens. Toxicity assessments indicated that both plant extracts were safe for use in poultry, with no adverse effects or mortality observed during trials. A randomized controlled trial was conducted using 105 one day old cobb500 broilers chickens. The chickens were divided into seven groups (15 per pen), each group with three replicates. On the 19th days of age all chickens except those in UiUi (negative control) were orally challenged with 1x 105 sporulated Eimeria Oocysts. Treatment commenced on 4th PI. Lip300 and Lip600 were infected and treated with L. adoensis at 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg respectively, Azd300 and Azd600 were infected and treated with A. indica at 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg respectively. Koxd was infected and treated with koksidex at1g/L of water, InNT was infected untreated, while UiUT served as noninfected & non-treated. Clinical observations, mortality, oocyst shedding, weight gain, and lesion scores were recorded throughout the study period. The findings revealed that lower oocyst output, higher weight gain, fewer clinical symptoms, and better survival rates were observed in herbal treated group compared to InNT group. Moreover, A. indica, especially at 600mg/kg dose, exhibited the most significant improvements across all parameters. Using these parameters efficacy status of herbal extracts was also determined based on anticoccidial index, reduction of oocyst productions, reduction in lesion score and percent optimum anticoccidial activity. All indices showed that A. indica was effective against Eimeria infections, standing out as promising candidate for future drug development. Further study is recommended to optimize route of administration and extract concentrations
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Keywords
Anticoccidial index, Azadirachta indica, Coccidiosis, Lippia adoensis