In vitro Anticoccidial Activity of Methanolic Leaves Extract of Lannea schimperi Against Oocysts of Eimeria tenella

Eimeria belonging to the phylum apicomplexan protozoa is recognized as the the major parasitic disease of poultry. Caecal coccidioisis caused by Eimeria tenella is a major threat to poultry production. The drugs which can inhibit sporulation process are best choice as preventive measures. Anticoccidial drugs have played a major role in the effective control of avian coccidiosis, but their extensive use has resulted in the emergence of drug resistant coccidian strains which necessitates sourcing of better alternative drugs. The present study is aimed at evaluating the in vitro anticoccidial potential of the methanolic leaves extract of Lannea schimperi. Eimeria tenella isolated from infected chicks was used in this study. The isolated oocysts were divided into two; the first portion was used for testing the efficacy of the different drug solutions on unsporulated oocysts while the second portion was allowed to sporulate in 2.5 % potassium dichromate solution at room temperature (27 O C) which was used for testing the efficacy of the different drug solutions on sporulated oocysts. The extract was tested at concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 mg/ml. Amprolium at concentration of 1 mg/ml was used as a positive control, while 2.5 % potassium dichromate was used as negative control. The data obtained in this study showed that the methanolic leaves extract of Lannea schimperi possess anticoccidial activity against unsporulated and sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella in a dose dependent manner, the extract at concentration of 100 mg/ml inhibited oocyst sporulation ( 98 %) and inhibited the viability of sporulated oocysts (97 %) similar to that recorded by the standard drug aprolium after 72 hours of incubation at room temperature (27 O C). The negative control recorded 4 and 2 % efficacy for unsporulated and sporulated oocysts respectively with 96 and 98 % sporulated oocysts. Therefore the present study revealed that methanolic leaves extract of Lannea schimperi possesses anticoccidial principle that may require further scientific elucidations.