Anthelmintic Potency of <i>Carica</i> <i>papaya</i> seeds against Gastro-intestinal Helminths in Red Sokoto goat

Abstract

The comparative studies on anthelmintic potency of Carica papaya seeds was investigated in naturally infected Red Sokoto goats. Forty Red Sokoto goats (average 12 ± 0.25 kg body weight) infected naturally with helminthes were used to compare anthelminthic potency of Carica papaya seeds in aqueous and crude extract forms and Thiabendazole treatment against intestinal worms. The animals were randomly assigned into four treatment groups (A, B, C and D) consisting of 10 Red Sokoto goats per group. The animals in group A were not treated (negative control) while B undergone thiabendazole anthelmintic treatment (positive control). Groups C and D were given the powdery and aqueous forms of C. papaya seed extract via feed at 300 mg/kg body weight/day and at 1:10 ml (w/v) of water respectively for 3 days. Before anthelmintic treatments and 1st and 2nd weeks after administering the anthelminthics, faecal and blood samples were collected for parasitological and haematological analysis. Data collected were subjected to one-way ANOVA. Treatments of both aqueous and powdery forms of C. papaya seed extract resulted a significant increase (p < 0.05) in packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and haemoglobin concentration and lymphocyte counts. Conversely, there was significant (p > 0.05) decrease in the eosinophil counts. The reduction in the faecal egg counts of helminth when C. papaya seed extracts applied was significantly (p < 0.05) comparable to those obtained for Thiabendazole treatment. However, the efficacy of aqueous form of C. papaya seed extract was more significant (p < 0.05) than the crude (powdery) extract administered via the feed. The study therefore concludes that C. papaya seed extracts have comparable anthelmintic potency to Thiabendazole and that aqueous forms were more efficient than powdery forms when administered in Red Sokoto goats as an alternative to anthelmintic to synthetic dewormers in rural areas in controlling helminthosis

Keywords

• carica papaya seeds
• red sokoto goats
• helminths
• anthelmintics
• thiabendazole