Evaluation of in vitro anthelminthic activity of Indian acalypha (Acalypha indica) root and Indian borage (Plectranthus amboinicus) extract against L3 stage strongyle larvae in sheep.

Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection has been identified as the second most important cause of small ruminant mortality and morbidity in Malaysia. To control GIN infection, commercial anthelminthic drugs (AHD) are used. However, continuous unscrupulous usage of AHD has inevitably resulted in rampant anthelminthic resistance in numerous small ruminant farms in Malaysia. Hence, ethnoveterinary medicine is actively explored to find an alternative to commercial AHD. This study aims to evaluate the anthelminthic activity of Indian acalypha (Acalypha indica) and Indian borage (Plectranthus amboinicus) against third stage strongyle larvae (L3 larvae) in sheep. A total of 300 L3 larvae was assigned to 8 experimental groups (40, 50 and 60 mg/ml Indian Acalypha Root Methanolic Extract (IARME), 10, 30 and 50 mg/ml Indian borage extract (IBE), ivermectin and distilled water). The average percentage of L3 larvae mortality was recorded at time 0, 10 and 30 minutes, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 24 hours. The results revealed that 50 mg/ml IBE is the most efficient treatment, followed by 60 mg/ml IARME. Probit analysis revealed that both IARME and IBE are effective anthelmintic agents with time-dependent increases in efficacy. Therefore, this study showed that IARME might be optimal for rapid treatment, while IBE could be suitable for sustained anthelmintic treatment.