ABSTRACT Parthenium hysterophorus is an invasive plant variety found in around 50 countries. Phenolic compounds in the P. hysterophorus leaves, HPLC analysis was carried out. In addition, methanolic extract of P. hysterophorus leaves was evaluated for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH free radical scavenging activity, and hemolytic activity. The leaves crude extract was orally administered to rabbits (n = 5) at four doses (10, 20, 40 and 80 mg kg–1) for 9 days and its effects on hematological and biochemical parameters were investigated. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 8.0 software. The HPLC data revealed the presence of Chlorogenic acid, Bis-HHDP-hex (pedunculagin), Morin, Ellagic acid, Rutin, Syringic acid, etc., which were detected at various retention times. Among these compounds, Ellagic acid was abundantly present with sample peak area of 9594.909 %. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in the leaves extracts at a concentration of 80 μg were, 57.35 ± 4.12 μg GAE/μg and 39.44 ± 0.41 μg QE/μg. DPPH free radical scavenging activity was 72.82 % with IC50 value of 168 μg/μL at 80 μg of the extract. In the hemolysis assay, 200 μg of extract had highest cell inhibition of 76.90 % with IC50 >500. Significant (P<0.05) variation in the hematological and biochemical parameters was observed in the extract fed groups. It has been concluded that P. hysterophorus leaves extract had toxic effects on the hematological and biochemical parameters in rabbits which cause abnormal blood profile.

Resumo No presente estudo, as atividades anti-helmínticas de Arundo (A.) donax L., Areca (Ar.) Catechu L. e Ferula (F.) assa-foetida L. foram determinadas. Folhas de A. donax L., látex de F. assa-foetida L. e sementes de Ar. catechu L. em diferentes frações de solvente foram submetidos a testes in vitro (teste de eclosão de ovos, EHA e ensaio de motilidade em adultos, AMA); e in vivo (teste de redução da contagem de ovos fecais, FECRT) de atividade anti-helmíntica, usando-se Haemonchus contortus. Na AMA, extratos aquosos brutos de metanol (CAME) e frações de acetato de etila de F. assa-foetida. Dez horas pós-tratamento, apresentaram mortalidade máxima de H. contortus em 12,5-50 mg mL-1. No EHA, CAME de F. assa-foetida foi identificado como um ovicida potente baseado em seu baixo LC50 (16,9 µg mL-1), seguido em ordem por Ar. catechu e A. donax. Os resultados do FECRT também mostraram que o extrato de F. assa-foetida L. é mais eficaz do que o de Ar. catechu L. e A. donax L., contra nematoides parasitas gastrointestinais. As frações clorofórmio e acetato de etila mostraram melhores atividades anti-helmínticas contra vermes adultos in vitro, enquanto o CAME dessas plantas foi melhor do que o pó bruto in vivo. Recomenda-se documentar e investigar o conhecimento indígena de possíveis plantas medicinais para planejar ensaios científicos que possam justificar seu endosso.

Abstract In the present study, anthelmintic activities of Arundo (A.) donax L., Areca (Ar.) catechu L., and Ferula (F.) assa-foetida L. were determined. Leaves of A. donax L., latex of F. assa-foetida L. and seeds of Ar. catechu L. in different solvent fractions were subjected to in vitro (egg hatch assay; EHA, and adult motility assay; AMA) and in vivo (faecal egg count reduction test; FECRT) tests of anthelmintic activity using Haemonchus contortus model. In the AMA, crude aqueous methanol extracts (CAME) and ethyl acetate fractions of F. assa-foetida at 10 hr post-treatment showed maximum mortality of H. contortus at 12.5-50 mg mL-1. In the EHA, CAME of F. assa-foetida was identified as a potent ovicide based on its low LC50 (16.9 µg mL-1), followed in order by Ar. catechu and A. donax. Results from the FECRT also showed the extract of F. assa-foetida L. to be more effective than those of Ar. catechu L. and A. donax L., against the gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes. Chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed better anthelmintic activities against the adult worms in vitro, while CAME of these plants were better than their crude powders in vivo. It is recommended to document and investigate indigenous knowledge of possible medicinal plants to plan scientific trials that may justify their endorsement.

Abstract Introduction: it has previously been shown that parasitic infections (PI) have deleterious effects on the nutritional status of the host, particularly among young children. Objective: the objective of this study was to estimate the severity of the problem of malnutrition and anemia in association with PI in preschool children and to identify the possible risk factors that contribute to these health problems. Methods: four hundred and thirty-seven mother-child pairs were randomly selected from rural areas of Peshawar, Pakistan. Children with visible and invisible worms were identified. The nutritional status of the respondents was evaluated. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on relevant parameters. Appropriate statistical tests were used to analyze the data. Results: the average age of the children was 24 ± 10 months. A total of 120 (27.5%) fecal samples of children tested positive for several parasites. Of the total, 267 (61%), 205 (47%), 109 (25%) and 140 (32%) children were anemic, stunted, wasted and underweight, respectively. The majority of wasted children (59% wasted versus 41% normal) and anemic (66% anemic versus 34% non-anemic) were infected with parasites (p < 0.05). Independent factors related to child anemia included child age, family size, mothers' awareness of overall child healthcare, and PIs. PIs were independent risk factors for malnutrition and general child wasting. Sociodemographic, parental and child-related risk factors for PIs included mothers' poor nutritional status and awareness level regarding overall child healthcare, fathers' formal education, child's pica habit, child's age, open sewage system in the houses and family size. Conclusion: in general, malnutrition and anemia were highly prevalent in children in association with PI.

Resumen Introducción: se ha demostrado previamente que las infecciones parasitarias (IP) tienen efectos nocivos sobre el estado nutricional del huésped, particularmente entre los niños pequeños. Objetivo: el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo estimar la gravedad del problema de desnutrición y anemia en asociación con IP en niños en edad preescolar e identificar los posibles factores de riesgo que contribuyen a estos problemas de salud. Métodos: se seleccionaron al azar 437 parejas madre-hijo de zonas rurales de Peshawar, Pakistán. Se identificaron niños con gusanos visibles y no visibles. Se evaluó el estado nutricional de los encuestados. Se usaron cuestionarios estructurados para recopilar datos sobre parámetros relevantes y pruebas estadísticas apropiadas para analizar los datos. Resultados: la edad promedio de los niños fue de 24 ± 10 meses. Un total de 120 (27,5%) muestras fecales de niños dieron positivo para varios parásitos. Del total, 267 (61%), 205 (47%), 109 (25%) y 140 (32%) niños eran anémicos, presentaban atrofia, desgaste y bajo peso, respectivamente. Los factores independientes relacionados con la anemia infantil incluyen la edad del niño, el tamaño de la familia, el nivel de conciencia de las madres sobre el cuidado de la salud general del niño y los IP. Los IP fueron factores de riesgo independientes para la malnutrición y el desgaste general de los niños. Los factores de riesgo independientes para los IP incluyeron un estado nutricional deficiente de las madres, bajo nivel de conciencia de las madres con respecto a la atención médica general del niño, la educación formal de los padres, el patrón pica en niños, la edad, el sistema de alcantarillado abierto en las casas y el tamaño de la familia. Conclusión: en general, la malnutrición y la anemia fueron muy prevalentes en los niños en asociación con IP.

The present study was planned to evaluate the anticoccidial activity of the different concentrations of the HCl against Eimeria tenella infection in broiler chickens in comparison with the amprolium anticoccidial. For this purpose, a total of 198 chicks were placed 11 per pen with three pens per treatment. The different concentrations of HCl (1000ppm, 2000ppm and 3000ppm) and amproilum (at the dose rate of 125ppm) were given to the experimental groups in drinking water from 10 to 19th days of age. One group was kept as infected non medicated control and one as non infected non medicated control. At the 12th day of age, all the groups were inoculated orally with 75,000 sporulated oocysts except non infected non medicated control. Anticoccidial activity was evaluated on the basis of performance (weight gain, feed conversion ratio) and pathogenic (oocyst score, lesion score and mortality %age) parameters. Among HCl medicated groups, the maximum anticoccidial effect was seen in the group medicated with 1000ppm HCl followed by 2000ppm and 3000ppm HCl medicated groups. Amprolium and 1000ppm HCl were almost equivalent in suppressing the negative performance and pathogenic effects associated with coccidiosis (Eimeria tenella) challenge. In summary, the lower doses of HCl have the potential to be used as alternative to chemotherapeutic drugs for Eimeria tenella control. It is therefore suggested that further studies should be carried out to determine the possible minimum safe levels of HCl with least toxic effects to be used as anticoccidial.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anticoccidial effect of the different concentrations of the acetic acid in the broiler chickens in comparison with the amprolium anticoccidial. A total of 198 chicks were placed 11 per pen with three pens per treatment. The different concentrations (1%, 2% and 3%) of acetic acid and amproilum (at the dose rate of 125ppm) were given to the experimental groups in drinking water from 10-19th days of age. One group was kept as infected non medicated control and one as non infected non medicated control. All the groups were inoculated orally with 75,000 sporulated oocysts at the 12th day of age except non infected non medicated control. Anticoccidial effect was evaluated on the basis of performance (weight gain, feed conversion ratio) and pathogenic (oocyst score, lesion score and mortality %age) parameters. Among acetic acid medicated groups, the maximum anticoccidial effect was seen in the group medicated with 3% acetic acid followed by 2% and 1% acetic acid medicated groups. Amprolium and 3% acetic acid were almost equivalent in suppressing the negative performance and pathogenic effects associated with coccidiosis (Eimeria tenella) challenge. In summary, acetic acid has the potential to be used as alternative to chemotherapeutic drugs for Eimeria tenella control. Concentration-dependent anticoccidial effect of acetic acid suggests that further studies should be carried out to determine the possible maximum safe levels of acetic acid with least toxic effects to be used as anticoccidial.

Comparative efficacy of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) crude powder and salinomycin sodium on the occurrence of coccidiosis and growth performance of broiler was evaluated. A total of 90, day-old chicks were randomly divided into six groups. From first day onward, ration was supplemented with 1, 2 and 3 % turmeric powder in groups 2, 3 and 4, respectively, group 1 received salinomycin sodium @ 12 g 50 kg-1 feed while groups 5 and 6 were kept as infected un-medicated and uninfected un-medicated controls. First five groups were infected with Eimeria tenella sporulated oocysts @ 1,00,000/chick at the age of 20 days. Body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio were investigated throughout the experimental period, and bloody diarrhea and oocysts excretions were investigated at the first and the second week after infection. Maximum coccidiostatic effect was observed with turmeric (3%) showing mild bloody diarrhea as compared to other infected groups receiving turmeric containing rations. This effect was comparable with a standard coccidiostat i.e., salinomycin sodium. Similarly, the weight gain in the groups treated with salinomycin sodium (2280g) and 3% turmeric (2293g) were also significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of infected control group (1955g). In the groups treated with ration supplemented with 3% turmeric powder and salinomycin sodium, the peak excretion of oocysts was delayed about 1 or 2 days relative to the control infected group. Concentration-dependent coccidiostatic effect of turmeric suggested that further studies should be carried out to determine the possible maximum safe levels of turmeric with least toxic effects to be used as coccidiostat.