No abstract

the native breed of goats that is located in the Nile Delta and along the Nile Valley is known as Baladi goats. Amongst other breeds of goats, the Baladi goats have a great economic value [1] and play an essential role in the economy of small, marginal farmers and landless labourers in Egypt [2]. T HE THERAPEUTIC effect of Balanites aegyptiaca fruit's ethanolic extract (BAF-EE) in goats experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) was evaluated. Serum biochemical parameters, tissue oxidative stress status and pathological changes were investigated. Twelve goats were divided into 4 equal groups, G1 (infected-untreated), G2 (infected-BAF-EE treated), G3 (infected-albendazole treated) and G4 (uninfected-BAF-EE treated). Infection was conducted at 0-time, whereas treatment with BAF-EE and albendazole was given in the 5 th week post infection (PI). Blood samples were drawn on 0-time, 3 rd week PI and then biweekly till the 9 th week for serum biochemical analyses. At the end of experiment, all animals were slaughtered to estimate oxidative stress markers and histopathological alterations in the abomasal and hepatic tissues. Serum biochemistry of infected animals showed significant depression of total serum proteins, albumin, albumin/ globulin ratio, total antioxidant capacity and calcium levels. The activity of AST, ALT and γGT and the cholesterol, urea and creatinine levels were significantly elevated in the serum of infected animals. Glutathione peroxidase values decreased significantly in tissue homogenate of G1 and G3 goats than those in G2 and G4 goats. Malondialdehyde followed a reverse course. Abomasa of infected animals in G1 revealed inflammation, necrosis, petechial hemorrhages and cellular infiltration. Liver showed bile duct hyperplasia, degeneration of hepatocytes and cell infiltration. Intensity of alterations were lower in infected-treated animals. In conclusion, BAF-EE has hepatoprotective effect and can improve serum biochemical alterations and oxidative stress status in goats infected with H. contortus, justifying its use as a safe natural anthelmintic agent.

Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) parasite causes various functional derangements in the host body. This experimental study was established to appraise the remedial effect of Balanites aegyptiaca fruit's ethanolic extract (BAF-EE) on experimentally induced haemonchosis in goats. Blood serum biochemical parameters and pathological changes were perused. Twelve male goats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups, G1 (infected-untreated), G2 (infected-BAF-EE treated), G3 (infected-albendazole treated) and G4 (uninfected-BAF-EE treated). Experimental infection was conducted with a single oral dose of 10x 3 infective third larval stage (L3) of H. contortus at 0-time, whereas treatment with BAF-EE and albendazole was given at a single oral dose of 9g and 5mg/kg body wieght respectively in the 5 th week post infection (PI). Blood samples were drawn on zero time, 3 rd week PI and then biweekly till the 9 th week for serum biochemical analyses. At the end of the experiment, all animals were slaughtered to estimate histopathological alterations in the abomasal and hepatic tissues. Serum biochemistry of infected animals showed significant depression of total serum protein (TP), albumin, albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and calcium (Ca) levels compared to uninfected goats. Significant elevation was observed in values of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gammaglutamyl transferase (γGT), cholesterol, urea and creatinine of infected animals, while no significant differences were recorded in levels of inorganic phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), chloride (Cl) and total iron binding capacity (TIBC). Histopathological studies conducted on abomasa of infected-untreated animals revealed inflammation, necrosis, petechial hemorrhages and intense cellular infiltration. Liver showed bile duct hyperplasia, degeneration of hepatocytes and cell infiltration. Histopathological alterations in tissues of infected -treated animals were lower in intensity than those of infecteduntreated goats. Results of the present experiment demonstrated that BAF-EE has an anti-parasitic and hepatoprotective effects as well as it improves serum biochemical alterations and oxidative stress in goats infected with H. contortus parasite. The present findings nominate the use of this plant as a novel safe natural anthelmintic agent.