Anticoccidial effect of methanolic root extracts of Cochlospermum planchonii on broilers experimentally infected with Eimeria maxima and Eimeria tenella

Background: Coccidiosis caused by Eimeria species is a major threat to poultry pro- duction. A plant commonly used in traditional African medicine, Cochlospermum planchonii, has been reported to possess diverse medicinal properties. However, little research has been conducted on its anticoccidial effects to date. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the anticoccidial effects of methanolic root extracts of Cochlospermum planchonii (MRECP) in broiler chickens experimentally infected with Eimeria maxima and Eimeria tenella. Methods: This study was performed using forty-eight broilers. Five birds were used for parasite identification and thirteen birds were used in the acute toxicity study. Thirty birds were randomly assigned into six groups (n=5) for in vivo testing. Groups I, II and III were infected with 3×104 of sporulated oocysts and treated with 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of MRECP respectively, from day 5 post infection (PI). Group IV was treated with 1.5 mg/ml amprolium, a standard anti- coccidial drug. Groups V and VI were infected-untreated and uninfected-untreated controls. A two-fold serial dilution of MRECP (1:25, 1:50, 1:100, 1:200, and 1:400) was used in the in vitro study at the initial concentration of 40 mg/ml, with 1.5 mg/ml amprolium and 2.5% potassium dichromate as controls. The anticoccidial effects of MRECP were evaluated using fecal oocyst counts and body weight changes in birds experimentally infected with Eimeria species. The bioactive components of MRECP were identified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Results: MRECP exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on Eimeria oocyst sporulation in vitro. Treated birds showed a significant reduction in fecal oocyst counts and improved weight gain compared to untreated controls. No signs of acute toxicity were observed. GC-MS analysis revealed that the major bioactive constituents were organic acids (54.54%). Conclusions: Methanolic root extracts of Cochlospermum planchonii demonstrated promising anticoccidial action against mixed Eimeria infections in broilers, with no immediate toxic effects. These findings support its potential as a natural alternative to conventional anticoccidial drugs.