Evaluation of anthelmintic activity of Nigerian ethnoveterinary plants; Cassia occidentalis Guiera senegalensis

Gastrointestinal nematode infections pose a major threat to small ruminant production. is a helminth parasite that feeds on blood of small ruminant animals and causes anaemia, anorexia, loss of condition, and eventual death of the host animal. The parasite is particularly found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide [1]. In Nigeria and most developing countries, parasitic helminths cause large scale loss in animal productivity and pose a great threat to livestock development. The climate in Nigeria is humid and favours the development of helminth parasites [2]. Control of gastrointestinal nematodes, particularly in ruminants over the past 3 decades has been carried out almost entirely using conventional anthelmintic drugs. Most of these anthelmintics are derived from synthetic or semi-synthetic sources. These compounds are mainly considered to be the only effective way of controlling helminthosis in livestock. [3]. Some of the important drawbacks associated with the use of modern anthelmintics include resistance developed by the parasites to the drugs, which is a serious problem for livestock and a potentially growing problem for human helminth infections [4]. A good number of helminth parasites of domestic animals have the capacity to develop resistance to anthelmintics. Resistance to anthelmintics in sheep and goats is rapidly increasing, especially in warm and humid climatic regions, this could be as a result of increased rate of dosing with anthelmintics and also the adoption of common management, nutritional, and therapeutic strategies [5]. In addition, anthelmintic substances have been reported to cause considerable toxicity to humans and livestock, posing serious threat to human health [6]. In Africa, the rising cost of veterinary drugs and services has made it difficult for resource-poor farmers to access modern veterinary care including treatment of gastrointestinal helminth parasites in livestock [7]. Other issues of concern, such as drug residues in animal products and environment have limited the use of modern anthelmintic in veterinary practice [8, 9]. ( ) is a flowering plant belonging to the family Caesalpinaceae [10]. The entire parts of Haemonchus contortus