Observations on the treatment of natural haemosporidia infections by total alkaloid ofPeganum harmala L. in cattle

Eighty two cattle naturally infected with haemosporidians were treated with total alkaloid hydrochloride ofPeganum harmale L. (0.5 mg/kg/day). Fifty eight cases withTheileria sergenti showed a cure rate of 86%; thirteen cases withTheileria annulata showed a cure rate of 85%; eight cattle infected withBabesia bigemina showed a cure rate of 88% and three cases ofAnaplasma marginale were completely cured. The results suggested that the curative effect of total alkaloid ofP. harmale was better than that of diminazene aceturate and produced minimal side effects. The alkaloid could also be administered to pregnant animals. It was concluded that the total alkaloid ofP. harmale showed a marked effect as a treatment for haemosporidican infections in cattle.