Konmy Boni Saka

Benin

In vivo anticoccidial activity and immune response of Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina leaves against Eimeria magna and Eimeria media

Basile Konmy 1 2 3, Pascal Abiodoun Olounladé 1 3, Tomabu Adjobimey 4, Christian Cocou Dansou 1, Akouavi Carine Chimène Adoho 1, Esaïe Tchetan 1 3, Georcelin Goué Alowanou 3, Erick Virgile Bertrand Azando 5, Adolphe Adjanohoun 2, Sanni-Yo Doko Allou 1, Lamine Baba-Moussa 2
Affiliations
1Zootechnical Research and Livestock System Unit, School of Management and Operation of Livestock Systems, National University of Agriculture, Porto-Novo, Benin.
2Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
3Laboratory of Ethnopharmacology and Animal Health, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.
4Unité de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
5Laboratory of Ecology, Health and Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin.

Abstract

Background

The aims of this study were to determine the immune response and the anticoccidial activity induced by Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina leaves in rabbits infected with Eimeria magna and Eimeria media.

Methods

Thirty-five-day-old rabbits, free from coccidia, were infested with 2.103 oocysts of Eimeria magna and Eimeria media, then received the acetone extract of the leaves of Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina at different doses by oral gavage. The inhibition of the excretion of oocysts was evaluated by the McMaster technique and the levels of cytokines (IL-4 and IL-12) and immunoglobulin IgG were assayed by the ELISA method.

Results

The in vivo efficacy on E. magna and E. media oocysts was 95.43% and 96.53% for Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina at 1000 mg/kg bw against 98% for the positive control. Interestingly the plant extracts increased the production of interleukin (IL) and immunoglobulins (Ig) compared to controls. Plasma IL-4 levels (pg/ml) in rabbits were 128.94 and 131.38; those of IL-12 (pg/ml) were 395.55 and 426.56, and then for those of IgG (μg/ml) were 14.70 and 13.94 respectively with the acetone extracts of Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina on D14 PT at 1000 mg/kg bw. This study indicates that Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amygdalina can be used as an alternative to synthetic anticoccidials.

Conclusions

These plants could be used to increase the resistance of the immune system of rabbits to infestations of Eimeria species in rabbit farms.