Evaluation of the efficacy of the crude extracts of Capsicum frutescens, Citrus limon and Opuntia vulgaris against Newcastle disease in domestic fowl in Tanzania
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Date
1999-02
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Publisher
Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd
Abstract
Prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of a combination of Capsicum frutescens (red pepper), Citrus limon (lemon)
and Opuntia 6ulgaris (prickly pear) against Newcastle disease (ND) in domestic fowl were evaluated. Eighty-eight
broiler chickens were divided into five groups. Birds from three groups were inoculated with velogenic ND virus
strain, whereas birds from two groups were left as controls. Two groups received a mixture of the plant extract three
days prior to inoculation and birds from one group were given the plant extract for two days following development
of clinical signs. Blood samples were collected for haemaglutination inhibition tests (HI) for detection of ND virus
antibodies. Body weights were monitored during the experiment. Three birds died from the group that was inoculated
with ND virus and treated with the plant extract; two died from the group that received the plant extract as a
prophylaxis and inoculated with ND virus; and one bird died from the group that was inoculated with ND virus but
not given the plant extract. No death was observed in any of the birds in the control groups. Antibody titers for ND
virus rose four-fold in the inoculated birds but remained low in the un-inoculated groups. Mean body weights of birds
in group B declined markedly compared to the other groups. The results indicated that there was no prophylactic or
therapeutic value of the plant extract against ND. The plant extract showed a negative effect on body weights in birds
with ND. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Keywords
Newcastle disease, Capsicum frutescens, Citrus limon, Opuntia vulgaris