Comparative study of neem (azadirachta indica), bitter gourd and albendazole (momordica charantia) extract as herbal anthelminti as chemical anthelmintic in controlling gastrointestinal nematodes in goats

The comparative effects of methanol extracts of Neem (Azadirachta indica), Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia) and chemical anthelmintic-Albendazole on gastrointestinal nematodes infected goats were evaluated by egg per gram (EPG) count for a period of approximately three weeks. Twelve Kambing Katjang goats naturally infested with gastrointestinal parasite were selected based on EPG count (>300 EPG) and divided into four groups each consisting of three goats. Treatment I was methanol extract of A.indica (0.5 ml/kg body weight), treatment II was methanol extract of M.charantia (1 ml/kg body weight), treatment III was chemical anthelmintic, Albendazole (0.1 ml/kg body weight) and finally treatment IV was control. The treatments were administered on day 0 orally with single dosage and faecal egg count (EPG) was determined on day 4, 8 and 20. Both methanol extract of A.indica and M.charantia showed significant (p<0.01) reduction in controlling gastrointestinal nematodes infected goats compared to control group. A.indica showed gastrointestinal nematodes to be at a safe level (below 300 EPG) in goats on day 20 whereas M.charantia showed efficacy on day 8. Chemical anthelmintic showed no significant (p>0.01) reduction throughout the three weeks. The use of herbal anthelmintics, A.indica and M.charantia significant (p<0.01) anthelmintic activity when compared with control group.