In-vivo and in-vitro evaluation on the anthelmintic efficacy of sweet tamarind (Pithecellobium dulce) aqueous leaf extract against Ascaridia galli in Philippine native chicken

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Pithecellobium dulce aqueous extract against Ascaridia galli in native chicken using in-vivo and in-vitro conditions. The trials were carried out from October to December 2022. Sixty(60) Philippine native chickens were used in the in vivo experiment, while 60 adult Ascaridia galli worms were used in the in vitro experiment. A completely randomized design was used in the study. There were four treatment groups with five replicates in each treatment and each replicate has 3 animal samples each. Treatment 1 has 20% extract, Treatment 2 has 50% and the Treatment 3 has 100% extract. The fourth group constituted the control group where animals were dosed with a commercial dewormer, Levamisole Hydrochloride + Albendazole (Bastonero Plus), and was given using the manufacturer’s recommendation. For the in vivo experiment, fecal samples were collected before and after treatment with the test drug at day 0, day 7 and day 14 and were analysed using the McMaster technique. The results obtained were recorded as egg per gram (EPG) of fecal sample. The percentage mean fecal egg counts reductions (FECR%) were used for the analysis of the data. It was observed that Pithecellobium dulce aqueous extract had the ability to reduce the fecal egg counts of Agaridida galli of chicken. In the in vitro experiment, it was found out that the extract also has the ability to induce paralysis in adult worms. Overall, there was a significant difference in the results when Treatment 1(20%) and Treatment 2(50%) are compared with the positive control group while Treatment 3(100%) and the positive control group has no significant difference, indicating that Pithecellobium dulce is as effective as the conventional dewormer when given in high concentrations. The secondary metabolites identified form t he leaves of Pithecellobium dulce extract mainly include alkaloids, phenols and most especially tannins. This diversity of compounds present in the leaves of Pithecellobium dulce has dealt great effects on the results of the experiment.