Anthelmintic activity of Ocimum sanctum leaf extract against ovine gastrointestinal nematodes in India

Res Vet Sci. 2015 Apr;99:165-70. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2015.01.017. Epub 2015 Feb 3. Kanojiya D1, Shanker D1, Sudan V2, Jaiswal AK1, Parashar R1. Author information 1 Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, U. P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura 281001, India. 2 Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, U. P. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura 281001, India. Electronic address: viks.sudan@gmail.com. Abstract Leaves of Ocimum sanctum have been traditionally used for various ethno-veterinary practices as well as medicinal purpose. In vitro ovicidal and larvicidal potential of crude aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of the bulb of O. sanctum was investigated. Alkaloids, carbohydrates, steroids and tannins were identified in phytochemical analyses. The various blood parameters coupled marker enzymes and antioxidant status were also evaluated during in vivo trial. Aqueous extract showed better EC50 and EC99 values in comparison with methanolic extract in egg hatch assay and larval development test, respectively. However, in the larval paralysis test, both aqueous and methanolic extracts showed almost similar efficacy. A 77.64% reduction in fecal egg output was observed on day 14. No deleterious ill effect was found in any of the hematological and biochemical parameters suggesting that the plant could be safer for use in sheep. KEYWORDS: Anthelmintic activity; Gastrointestinal nematodes; India; Ocimum sanctum; Sheep PMID: 25687816 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2015.01.017 [Indexed for MEDLINE]