Nematocidal Effects of Piperazine and the Extract of Acacia Oxyphylla Stem Bark on the Poultry Nematode, Ascaridia Galli

Acacia oxyphylla Graham ex Bentham (Mimosaceae) is a leguminous plant widely used in the traditional medicines of north-east Indian tribes. Among the Mizo tribes, the stem bark is commonly used as fish stupefying and deworming agents. This present experiment was aimed at evaluating the nematocidal effect, if any, upon Ascaridia galli Schrank (Nematoda), the intestinal roundworm of domestic fowl, in comparison to that of piperazine. Different concentrations of the plant extract and piperazine (0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 mg/mL) were prepared in 0.9% phosphate buffered saline with 1% dimethylsulfoxide. In vitro treatment of the nematodes indicated concentration-dependent efficacy of both piperazine and the plant extract in terms of mortality effect. Piperazine was significantly effective (P < 0.05) at all concentrations tested. However, the plant extract showed significant efficacy only at the concentrations of 5, 10, and 20 mg/mL. Photomicrographs of the female nematodes treated with 20 mg/mL of the plant indicated extensive structural alterations involving detachment of the cuticle, disintegration of the muscular layers, rupture of the ovaries and deformity on the egg membranes. The results show that A. oxyphylla is an effective nematocide, supporting the feasibility of its usage as traditional anthelmintic.