Efficacy of Commiphora molmol against hepatic coccidiosis (Eimeria stiedae) in the domestic rabbit

Abstract This study investigated the effect of oleo-gum-resin from Commiphora molmol Engler (Family: Burseraceae), commonly known as myrrh and as the commercial extract Mirazid, as a treatment for hepatic coccidiosis induced by the parasite Eimeria stiedae in domestic rabbits. Rabbits (Oryctolagus domesticus L.) were infected with sporulated parasite oocysts and subjected to treatment regimens of crude-myrrh suspension or the oleo-resin extract, Mirazid, each administered at 500 mg/kg rabbit body weight. Treatment of the infected rabbits resulted in significant reduction of mean oocyst numbers in the faeces of crude-treated rabbits (52.38%) and Mirazid-treated rabbits (90.90%), as compared to the untreated infected rabbits at Day 21 post-infection (pi). At Day 28 pi, no oocysts were observed in the faeces of treated rabbits, and both treatments resulted in significant recovery from all symptoms. Infected rabbits had normal body weight following treatment. Biochemical analyses showed that liver enzymes (aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin), total protein and hemoglobin levels returned to normal in response to the treatments. The results also indicate that Mirazid was more effective than the crude myrrh, likely due to a higher content of the active ingredients. The results of this study indicate that myrrh extracts, such as Mirazid, are promising sources for novel effective anti-coccidal drugs that are safe to the animal and the environment. These extracts are recommended for use in clinical practices.