In vitro anthelmintic, antibacterial and cytotoxic effects of extracts from plants used in South African ethnoveterinary medicine

Many plants are used for ethnoveterinary purposes in South Africa, particularly in rural areas. Extracts of 17 plant species employed to treat infectious diseases were prepared using three solvents and the antibacterial activity of the extracts was determined against two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria. Anthelmintic activity was evaluated against the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and toxicity was determined using the brine shrimp larval mortality test. Most of the plant extracts demonstrated antibacterial activity, with the best minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) being 0.1 mg mL(-1). More than a third of the extracts displayed anthelmintic activity. Toxic effects against brine shrimp larvae were shown by 30% of extracts, with the lowest LC(50) recorded as 0.6 mg mL(-1). The promising biological activity displayed by a number of plant extracts supports the ethnoveterinary use of these plants but in vivo tests are required to ascertain fully their medicinal properties and potential toxicity.     

Identification of anti-babesial activity for four ethnoveterinary plants in vitro

A commonly available Babesia caballi culture system was utilized for anti-babesial screening of four commonly used ethnoveterinary plants, Rhoiscissus tridentata, Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Aloe marlothii and Urginea sanguinea, in vitro. Well-established B. caballi cultures were initially incubated with either imidocarb diproprionate and diminazene aceturate to validate the model, where after the studies were performed on the four plants. Effectivity was established as the degree of inhibition using a colour change method as well as by evaluating percentage parasitized cells on thin culture smears and calculating the degree of residual infectivity. The model was effective in demonstrating the in vitro efficacy of the well known anti-babesial drugs imidocarb and diminazene indicating an EC50 value of 0.08 and 0.3 microg/ml, respectively. Only the E. elephantina rhizomes acetone extracts were effective at a concentration of 100 microg/ml. It was also shown that the colour change method of evaluation was not very sensitive for determining activity of crude plant extracts.     

In vitro antimycoplasmal activity of six Jordanian medicinal plants against three Mycoplasma species

The in vitro effect of six Jordanian traditional medicine plant methanolic extracts were tested against 32 isolates of Mycoplasma species; Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides LC (6), Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capricolum (8) and M. putrefaciens (18), all isolated from either nasal swabs or milk, from sheep and goats in different regions in Jordan. All Mycoplasma species showed susceptibility to Artemisia herba-alba and Artemisia arborescens with MIC ranges from 3.125–12.5 mg/ml. Allium sativum and Punica grantum showed limited activity against some Mycoplasma isolates. Olea europea and Citrullus colocynthis showed no in vitro activity against any of the Mycoplasma species tested. Artemisia herba-alba and Artemisia arborescens may therefore be useful for the treatment of mycoplasma infections. The authors are British Civil Servants and as such their work is subject to British Crown Copyright. This means the exclusive copyright for the article cannot be transferred.     

Anthelmintic efficacy of mebendazole suspension against induced helminth infections in South African sheep and cattle

Critical controlled tests were performed in 157 sheep (8 experiments) and 34 cattle (2 experiments) to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of mebendazole suspension, administered intraruminally via a stomach tube at a dosage rate of 15 mg of mebendazole/kg of body weight, against induced infections of immature and adult stages of commonly encountered nematode parasites in South Africa. In the sheep, the controlled efficacy of mebendazole suspension was good to excellent (90.1% to 100%) against all stages of Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Gaigeria pachyscelis, Ostertagia circumcincta, Nematodirus spathiger, and Chabertia ovina species. Mebendazole was also highly effective (97.3% to 99.9%) against 4th, 5th, and adult stages of Oesophagostomum columbianum and 5th-stage and adult Dictyocaulus filaria. Moderate activity was obtained (79.8% to 82.2%) against 3rd-stage O columbianum, 3rd- and 4th-stage D filaria, and 5th-stage and adult Strongyloides papillosus. In the cattle, mebendazole was effective (91.5% to 100%) against 4th-stage and adult H placei, Cooperia pectinata, Bunostomum phlebotomum, and Oesophagostomum radiatum species, but did not exhibit any appreciable activity (27.3% to 41.5%) against 4th-stage and adult O ostertagi.     

Non-experimental validation of ethnoveterinary plants and indigenous knowledge used for backyard pigs and chickens in Trinidad and Tobago

This paper presents the findings of an exploratory study on ethnoveterinary medicines used for backyard pigs and backyard chickens in Trinidad and Tobago. Research data was collected from 1995 to September 2000. Six plants are used for backyard pigs. Crushed leaves of immortelle (Erythrina pallida, E. micropteryx) are used to remove dead piglets from the uterus. Leaf decoctions of bois canôt (Cecropia peltata) and bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) are used for labour pains or leaves are fed as a postpartum cleanser. Boiled green papaya fruit (Carica papaya) is fed to pigs to induce milk let-down. The leaves and flowers of male papaya plants (Carica papaya) are fed to de-worm pigs. Sour orange juice (Citrus aurantium) is given to pigs to produce lean meat, and coffee grounds are used for scours. Eyebright and plantain leaves (Plantago major) are used for eye injuries of backyard chickens. Worm grass (Chenopodium ambrosioides) and cotton bush (Gossypium species) are used as anthelmintics. Aloe gel (Aloe vera) is used for internal injuries and the yellow sap from the cut Aloe vera leaf or the juice of Citrus limonia is used to purge the birds. A literature review revealed few toxicity concerns and the potential usefulness of the plants.     

Use of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants in cattle by Setswana-speaking people in the Madikwe area of the North West Province of South Africa

Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) methods were employed to document the use of ethnoveterinary medicinal plants in cattle by Setswana-speaking people in the Madikwe area of the North West Province of South Africa. The study indicated that Setswana-speaking people in the North West Province have a rich heritage of ethnoveterinary knowledge, which includes all aspects of ethnoveterinary medicinal plant use. Information was gathered from informants through individual interviews, group interviews, guided field walks and observations. Ethnoveterinary uses in cattle of 45 plant species representing 24 families were recorded. Plants were used in 84% of the total number of recorded ethnoveterinary remedies. These plants were used alone (64%) or in mixtures (36%) for 29 indications. The most important indications were retained placenta, diarrhoea, gallsickness, fractures, eye inflammation, general ailments, fertility enhancement, general gastrointestinal problems, heartwater, internal parasites, coughing, redwater and reduction of tick burden. Plant materials were prepared in various ways including infusion, decoction, ground fresh material, sap expressed from fresh material, charred and dried. The most common dosage form was a liquid for oral dosing. Other dosage forms included drops, licks, ointments, lotions and powders. Liquid remedies for oral dosing were always administered using a bottle. Medicinal plant material was preferably stored in a dried form in a cool place out of direct sunlight and wind. Lack of transfer of ethnoveterinary knowledge to younger generations puts this knowledge at risk. RRA was found to be a successful method of investigation for the study of ethnoveterinary medicine.     

生物表面活性素体外抗病毒活性

测定了表面活性素(Surfactin)的体外抗新城疫病毒(Newcastle disease virus,NDV)LaSota株、伪狂犬病病毒(Pseudorabies virus,PRV)作用,并对其可能的机理进行了初步的探讨.结果表明,生物表面活性素对鸡胚成纤维细胞(Chicken embryo fibroblasts,CEF)的TD50和TD0分别为62.5、16.125 mg/L;对猪肾(Porcine kidney,PK-15)细胞的TD50和TD0分别为31.25、4.03 mg/L;对NDV LaSota株、PRV株所致细胞病变效应有明显的抑制作用,可使细胞存活率显著升高;表面活性素可以直接作用于NDV LaSota株、PRV株,具有一定的抗病毒作用;同时还具有一定的预防NDV LaSota株感染及抑制其复制的作用.但对PRV病毒作用不显著.其抗病毒效果和相应的阳性对照抗病毒药物病毒唑(Ribavirin),无环鸟苷(Acyclovir,ACV)相当,并且由于其细胞毒性较弱,可作为一种抗病毒药物进行开发研究.     

The activity of triclabendazole against immature and adult Fasciola hepatica infections in sheep

SUMMARY The efficiency of a new benzimidazole anthelmintic, triclabendazole, was tested against cumulative infections with Fasciola hepatica aged 1 to 12 weeks in sheep and compared with that of rafoxanide. At 10 mg/kg, triclabendazole was 99% effective in eliminating both immature and adult flukes. At a lower dose rate of 5 mg/kg, triclabendazole was highly effective against adults and significantly reduced the number of early immature flukes with an 87% overall reduction of fluke burden. Rafoxanide at 7.5 mg/kg showed high efficiency against adult fluke, but its effect on immatures was not significant, and overall efficiency was 64%.     

The anti-microbial activity of electrolysed oxidizing water against microorganisms relevant in veterinary medicine

Standards of the German Association of Veterinary Medicine (DVG) for the evaluation of chemical disinfectants were used to assess the anti-microbial efficacy of electrolysed oxidizing water (EOW). Enterococcus faecium, Mycobacterium avium subspecies avium, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans were exposed to anode EOW (pH, 3.0+/-0.1; oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), +1100+/-50 mV; free chlorine, 400+/-20 mg/l Cl2) and combined EOW (7:3 anode:cathode, v/v; pH, 8.3+/-0.1; ORP, 930-950 mV; free chlorine, 271+/-20 mg/l Cl2). In water of standardized hardness (WSH), all bacterial strains were completely inactivated by a 30 min exposure to maximum 10.0% anode EOW (approximately 40.0 mg/l Cl2) or 50.0% combined EOW (approximately 135.5 mg/l Cl2). The sensitivity ranking order for anode EOW to the bacterial test strains was P. mirabilis>S. aureus>M. avium ssp. avium>E. faecium>P. aeruginosa. P. mirabilis and S. aureus decreased to undetectable levels after 5 min of exposure to 7.5% anode EOW (approximately 30.0 mg/l Cl2). Candida albicans was completely inactivated by a 5-min exposure to 5.0% anode EOW. Both, anode and combined EOW exhibited no anti-microbial activities in standardized nutrient broth or after addition of 20.0% bovine serum to the WSH. Further research is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of EOW as a disinfectant under operating conditions in animal production facilities.     

Evaluation of antiviral activity of phenolic compounds and derivatives against rabies virus

Human rabies is a viral disease with a great impact on public health, mainly on account of its fatal course in the majority of cases. Despite the well-established prophylaxis by immunization, rabies is believed to be responsible for 40,000-70,000 human deaths per year, mostly in endemic areas. Palliative support and experimental protocols to avoid death have been employed with no expressive results, with the exception of a recent human case of recovery from rabies. No antiviral drugs are currently available to fight against this infection. In combination with the prophylaxis, an antiviral drug would be useful for human rabies treatment, providing enhanced protection against the encephalitis caused by the virus. Phenolic compounds are derived from the secondary plant metabolism, although they can also be obtained by synthetic processes. Many studies have shown a great range of pharmacological effects for these substances, including vasodilatation, antiallergenic, antiinflammatory and antiviral properties, among others. In this study, the potential in-vitro anti-rabies activity of 24 synthetic phenolic compounds was evaluated using McCoy cells and PV rabies strain. The cytotoxicity (CC50) was assayed by the MTT method and the antiviral activity (IC50) was estimated by the inhibition of viral cytopathic effects. Isoprinosine and ketamine were used as positive controls. The tested compounds showed selectivity indices (SI=CC50/IC50) ranging from 1.0 to 3.9. Six phenolic compounds failed to inhibit the cytopathic effect to any degree, and four showed SI > or = 3.0. According to these results, some probable structure-activity relationships are suggested. It was observed that the presence of free hydroxyl and ether groups influenced the anti-rabies activity. However, additional studies are required to establish these relationships.     

六味中药对养殖场供水渠道真菌的抗菌活性研究

为防止养殖场供水渠道长霉,参照M38-A液体微量稀释法测定六味中药对养殖场供水线分离真菌的抗菌活性。结果显示,所选药物对受试菌均有不同程度的抑制作用,黄连、苦参、蛇床子、黄柏、白鲜皮和土荆皮的MIC几何均值分别为2.2、2.8、9.9、19.8、28.1mg/mL和35.4mg/mL。表明,黄柏、白鲜皮和土荆皮抗菌活性较差,蛇床子有一定的抗菌活性,黄连和苦参具有明显的抑菌、杀菌作用。     

In vitro activity of 12 antibiotics used in veterinary medicine against Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida isolated from calves in the Netherlands

Results of susceptibility tests of clinical isolates of animal pathogens are periodically summarized and reported by the Animal Health Service. However, these results are based upon qualitative test methods. In the present paper results of quantitative susceptibility tests of twelve antibacterial agents against Mannheimia haemolytica (MHA) and Pasteurella multocida (PMU) isolated from Dutch calves in 1996 and 1997 are presented. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of amoxicillin, ceftiofur, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, tilmicosin, neomycin, gentamicin, spectinomycin, flumequine, enrofloxacin, chloramphenicol and florfenicol were determined. No resistance was detected for ceftiofur and florfenicol. Three strains had an intermediate susceptibility to tilmicosin. The resistance percentages of MHA and PMU for neomycin, gentamicin, spectinomycin, flumequine, enrofloxacin, and chloramphenicol varied from 2% to 16%. Higher resistance percentages (16%-53%) were observed for amoxicillin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole. The MIC breakpoints used to determine whether a strain is susceptible, intermediate, or resistant are arbitrary and discussed in this paper.     

Evaluation of anthelmintic properties of extracts from some plants used as livestock dewormers by pastoralist and smallholder farmers in Kenya against Heligmosomoides polygyrus infections in mice

Parasitic nematodes are among the most common and economically important infectious diseases of grazing livestock, especially in small ruminants in the tropics and subtropics in Kenya the control of gastrointestinal nematode infections in sheep and goats is usually made with synthetic anthelmintics but substantial levels of anthelmintic resistance have been recorded. A number of medicinal plants, that may provide possible alternatives, and are used by pastoralists and smallholder farmers in Kenya as deworming agents for their livestock and equines, namely Aframomum sanguineum, Dodonea angustifolia, Hildebrandtia sepalosa, Myrsine africana, Rapanea melanophloeos from Kenya, and Azadirachta indica from Kenya and Malaysia, together with the chemicals embelin and santonin that occur in some of these plants, were evaluated against Heligmosomoides polygyrus in mice. Commercial anthelmintics, namely ivermectin, pyrantel and piperazine, were also investigated, both to validate the mouse model system and to assess efficacy of these drugs against H. polygyrus. Pyrantel and ivermectin were highly effective in reducing the numbers of H. polygyrus worms as well as eggs in faeces of the mice, but piperazine had a lower activity. Application of santonin and M. africana significantly reduced the number of total worm counts (TWC) but not faecal egg counts (FEC). The use of embelin, R. melanophloeos and A. indica reduced FEC but not TWC. In all cases, however, reductions were well below the a priori level of 70% required for biological significance. A. sanguineum, D. angustifolia and H. sepalosa had no effect on either TWC or FEC. In conclusion, none of the plant preparations had any biologically significant anthelmintic effect in this monogastric host-parasite model system.     

中草药饲用添加剂在家禽饲养中的应用

中草药饲料添加剂具有促进畜禽生长和保健作用，并因其无毒、无害、无残留、无耐药性的独特优势愈来愈被我国畜牧工作者重视。目前，中草药约有５０００种可用于添加剂，有２００多个品种。按照其对家禽的作用可分为营养促进剂、保健剂、驱虫剂等。按照其在生产中的配方可分为：①单味添加剂，如艾叶粉、松针粉等。这类添加剂组成单一、功能专一、针对性强。②复方添加剂，这类添加剂一般由多味药组成，功效多样。如鸡用“柴芪散”，主要有柴胡（具有散热、杀菌等作用）、黄芪（具有利尿和抗生素效应，能抑制多种病原菌的生长）、党参、白勺…