Efficacy ofVernonia amygdalina (Bitterleaf) methanol extract against intestinal helminths of free ranged chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) reared in Lokoja Kogi State Nigeria

Free ranged management system is the most common system practised by most local poultry farmers in Lokoja. Free-ranged chickens Gallus gallus domesticus due to their feeding habits on soil dependent foods, can easily be infected by soil transmitted helminths. This study investigates the efficacy of Vernonia amygdalina methanol extract, against intestinal helminths in free-range chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) reared in Lokoja metropolis, Kogi State, Nigeria. 80 free ranged chickens from four study sites in Lokoja metropolis were sacrified and adult helminths were harvested from the intestine of the individual chickens to ascertain the incidence and prevalence ofhelminths in the study area. Vernonia amygdalina leaves used for qualitative phytochemical analysis, quantitative HPLC screening, antiparasitic effect and range of effective dosage of Vernonia amygdalina were collected from garden in study area, cleaned, dried under room temperature, coarsely powdered and extracted by Cold Maceration method using methanol solvent. 10mg/ml; 20mg/ml; and 30mg/ml dosage of the Vernonia amygdalina extracts were administered orally to free ranged chickens grouped (five chickens per group) into Groups A,B,C,while 30mg/ml of Albendazole was administered to Group D(Positive test group) and Group E (Negative test group) had water administered to them. On day1 (pre test) only water and feed was given to all group and fecal samples were collected in triplicates in three sterile sample bottles, on day 3 and 5, 30mg/ml Albendazole and Vernonia amygdalina extracts were administered and the fecal samples collected in triplicates. Eggs were harvested using saturated sodium chloride flotation technique and counted (eggs per gram) using the McMaster technique In this study the recorded prevalence were Hymenolepis carioca, 35 %; Rallietina echinobothrida, 23.75% ; Trichuris trichiura, 3.75%; Capillaria spp 17.5%; Strongyloides avium 5%; Heterakis gallinarum 8.75%; Ascaridia galli 5% and the least prevalent Gongylonema ingluvicola 1.25% No trematode was encountered in this study. Quantitative phytochemical analysis of Vernonia amygdalina recorded 5412.60mg/100g flavonoids,1655.10mg/100g alkaloids, 2955.57mg/100g saponins, 2949.63mg/100g tannins and phenols 2350.27 ± 23.82mg/100g. Which is an indicator of the antihelminthic properties of Vernonia amygdalina. The most effective dosage of 30mg/ml Vernonia amygdalina extract was 85.35% Fecal egg count reduction compared with the conventional 30mg/ml of Albendazole which was 68.94% The present study indicates a significantly high Fecal Egg Count Reduction (FECRT) of 92,86% on administration of 20mg/ml dosage of Vernonia amygdalina extract on soil transmitted helminth in free ranged chicken in Lokoja metropolis, Kogi State, Nigeria. It was concluded that there is a high prevalence of cestodes and nematodes in free ranged chickens in Lokoja metropolis Kogi state and a dosage of 20mg/ml Vernonia amygdalina extract because of its antihelminthic phytochemical compounds is effective as antihelminthic against these helminths.