Abstract
Intestinal parasitic infection by Eimeria and helminthes in poultry are responsible for worldwide economic losses. This study was conducted to investigate the Anti-Eimeria and anthelmintic activity of Ziziphus Spina-christi leaves extract (ZLE). Experimental mice were divided into 5 groups. The first group is the non-infected control group. The second, third, fourth and fifth groups were orally infected with 1.2x10(3) E. papillata-sporulated oocysts. The third, fourth and fifth groups were orally inoculated with ZLE at a dose of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, respectively. The anthelmintic potential effect of ZLE was investigated on adult earthworm, Allolobaphora caliginosa. ZLE could significantly decrease the shedding of oocysts to about 10.7x10(3), 28.3x10(3) and 23.8x10(3) oocysts/g faeces in the third, fourth and fifth group of mice respectively. Also, ZLE was able to improve the induced jejunal injury by E. papillata infection. In addition, Treatment of infected mice with 100 and 300 mg ZLE/Kg could significantly elevate the number of goblet cells in the jejuna villi. Our in vivo study revealed that the time taken to induce paralysis and death a worms is dose dependant. The time consumed to induce paralysis and death decreased with the increased ZLE dose. Based on our results we can conclude that, Z. Spina-christi possesses anticoccidial as well as antihelmintic activity against E. papillata induced infection.