TY - JOUR
T1 - In vivo assessment of the antiparasitic effects of Allium sativum L. and Artemisia absinthium L. against gastrointestinal parasites in swine from low-input farms
AU - Băieş, Mihai Horia
AU - Cotuţiu, Vlad Dan
AU - Spînu, Marina
AU - Mathe, Attila
AU - Cozma-Petruț, Anamaria
AU - Bolboacǎ, Sorana D.
AU - Engberg, Ricarda Margaret
AU - Collin, Anne
AU - Cozma, Vasile
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2024/4/1
Y1 - 2024/4/1
N2 - Background: Ethno-veterinary practices could be used as a sustainable developmental tool by integrating traditional phytotherapy and husbandry. Phytotherapeutics are available and used worldwide. However, evidence of their antiparasitic efficacy is currently very limited. Parasitic diseases have a considerable effect on pig production, causing economic losses due to high morbidity and mortality. In this respect, especially smallholders and organic producers face severe challenges. Parasites, as disease causing agents, often outcompete other pathogens in such extensive production systems. A total of 720 faecal samples were collected in two farms from three age categories, i.e. weaners, fatteners, and sows. Flotation (Willis and McMaster method), modified Ziehl–Neelsen stained faecal smear, centrifugal sedimentation, modified Blagg technique, and faecal cultures were used to identify parasites and quantify the parasitic load. Results: The examination confirmed the presence of infections with Eimeria spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Balantioides coli (syn. Balantidium coli), Ascaris suum, Oesophagostomum spp., Strongyloides ransomi, and Trichuris suis, distributed based on age category. A dose of 180 mg/kg bw/day of Allium sativum L. and 90 mg/kg bw/day of Artemisia absinthium L. powders, administered for 10 consecutive days, revealed a strong, taxonomy-based antiprotozoal and anthelmintic activity. Conclusions: The results highlighted the therapeutic potential of both A. sativum and A. absinthium against gastrointestinal parasites in pigs. Their therapeutic effectiveness may be attributed to the content in polyphenols, tocopherols, flavonoids, sterols, sesquiterpene lactones, and sulfoxide. Further research is required to establish the minimal effective dose of both plants against digestive parasites in pigs.
AB - Background: Ethno-veterinary practices could be used as a sustainable developmental tool by integrating traditional phytotherapy and husbandry. Phytotherapeutics are available and used worldwide. However, evidence of their antiparasitic efficacy is currently very limited. Parasitic diseases have a considerable effect on pig production, causing economic losses due to high morbidity and mortality. In this respect, especially smallholders and organic producers face severe challenges. Parasites, as disease causing agents, often outcompete other pathogens in such extensive production systems. A total of 720 faecal samples were collected in two farms from three age categories, i.e. weaners, fatteners, and sows. Flotation (Willis and McMaster method), modified Ziehl–Neelsen stained faecal smear, centrifugal sedimentation, modified Blagg technique, and faecal cultures were used to identify parasites and quantify the parasitic load. Results: The examination confirmed the presence of infections with Eimeria spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Balantioides coli (syn. Balantidium coli), Ascaris suum, Oesophagostomum spp., Strongyloides ransomi, and Trichuris suis, distributed based on age category. A dose of 180 mg/kg bw/day of Allium sativum L. and 90 mg/kg bw/day of Artemisia absinthium L. powders, administered for 10 consecutive days, revealed a strong, taxonomy-based antiprotozoal and anthelmintic activity. Conclusions: The results highlighted the therapeutic potential of both A. sativum and A. absinthium against gastrointestinal parasites in pigs. Their therapeutic effectiveness may be attributed to the content in polyphenols, tocopherols, flavonoids, sterols, sesquiterpene lactones, and sulfoxide. Further research is required to establish the minimal effective dose of both plants against digestive parasites in pigs.
KW - Garlic
KW - Gastrointestinal parasites
KW - Low-input farms
KW - Wormwood
KW - Cryptosporidium
KW - Prevalence
KW - Swine Diseases/drug therapy
KW - Feces/parasitology
KW - Parasites
KW - Anti-Infective Agents
KW - Artemisia absinthium
KW - Cryptosporidiosis
KW - Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/drug therapy
KW - Animals
KW - Swine
KW - Antiparasitic Agents/pharmacology
KW - Farms
KW - Female
U2 - 10.1186/s12917-024-03983-3
DO - 10.1186/s12917-024-03983-3
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 38561770
AN - SCOPUS:85189084967
SN - 1746-6148
VL - 20
JO - BMC Veterinary Research
JF - BMC Veterinary Research
IS - 1
M1 - 126
ER -