Prospective Use of Anthelminthic Plants for Sustainable Worm Control in Nigeria

Abstract

From the beginning of human civilization, medicinal plants have been identified and used traditionally for the therapy of various conditions. Some of these medicinal plants contain active principles which have been reported to be highly potent against parasites. Internal parasitism is a major disease syndrome in pastoral animals because environments that favour pastoralism are the same as those which favour the development and survival of the free-living stages of helminth parasites. Helminth infections cause tremendous health hazards in livestock production ventures, resulting in increased morbidity, mortality and decreased productivity of affected flocks with huge economic implications. Control of these parasites has become a major challenge due to the development of resistance by these parasites to available synthetic drugs. The search for more viable alternatives for helminth control has exposed the potentials of plants and phytochemical substances as anthelmintics. It is therefore recommended that more research trials be carried out in this area. Also, already discovered herbal anthelmintics should be standardized and regularized for use by developing and implementing a good biotechnology policy framework by the Government, especially in developing countries like Nigeria.