In vitro and in vivo activity of Artemisia sieberi against Trichomonas gallinae

In Iranian folk medicine Artemisia sieberi has been used for treatment of parasite infections in human and animals. The present study was designed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of A. sieberi essential oil [EO] against Trichomonas gallinae. Trichomonas gallinae were recovered by wet mount method from infected native pigeons. The in vitro assays were accomplished in multi-well plates containing metronidazole [MTZ] as a standard antitrichomonal and EO in final concentrations of 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 micro g/ml of culture medium containing 10[4] parasites. The in vivo assay was performed on 40 experimentally infected pigeons receiving 25 and 50 mg/kg of MTZ and EO for 7 successive days. Gas chromatographic [GC] analysis was performed to reveal chemical constituents of the EO. At 20 micro g/ml, MTZ resulted in no viable trophozoite in culture medium after 24 h incubation period. While the 24 h MIC of EO was 10 micro g/ml. Treatment with EO at dose of 50 mg/kg after 4 days led to full recovery of infected pigeons but for MTZ at the same dose 5 days were spent. Major constituents of EO were alpha-thujone [31.5%] and beta-thujone [11.92%]. Data of the present study introduced A. sieberi as a natural potent antitrichomonal agent effective against T. gallinae

[Neuropharmacological properties of farnesol in Murine model]

Research on new compounds of therapeutic value for behavioral disorders has progressed recently. Several studies have reported neuropharmacological activities of plant derived terpenes. Farnesol is a sesquiterpene whose most popular source is fruits but the anxiolytic activity for farnesol is still unknown. The present study was conducted on 32 male Swiss Albino mice [8 in each group] to evaluate the neuropharmacological properties of farnesol and its effects on plasma cortisol levels. Farnesol was administered intraperitoneally at single doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, while diazepam 2 mg/kg was used as standard anxiolytic. Thirty minutes after injections, open field test [OFT], elevated plus maze [EPM], a forced swimming test [FST], and a hot plate test [HPT] were performed for evaluation of anxiety-like behavior, depression and nociception. In OFT, farnesol at the dose of 100 mg/kg led to significant decrease in locomotor activity [P<0.01]. In EPM, only farnesol 100 mg/kg led to significant increase in the number of entries to the open arms and the time spent in open arms [P<0.01]. Increase in immobility time in FST was seen in farnesol 50 and 100 mg/kg [P<0.001]. Farnesol 100 mg/kg exerts significant prolongation in the latency of responses to noxious heat stimuli in HPT. Like diazepam, farnesol decreased plasma levels of cortisol. Results revealed that farnesol had anxiolytic, anti-nociceptive and depressant effects in murine models. The present study provides pharmacological evidence supporting the use of farnesol as a sedative for anxiety disorders

Growth performance parameters in chicken experimental coccidiosis treated with Diclazuril and Clopidol: The need for assessing new anticoccidial resources

BACKGROUND: Coccidiosis is recognized as the parasitic disease that has the greatest economic impact on poultry production. Modern poultry production is largely dependent upon anticoccidials.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine and compare the efficacy of two chemical anticoccidials [Clopidol and Diclazuril] on oocyst shedding and their probable effects on growth performance and feed efficiency of broilers in experimental coccidiosis.

METHODS: One hundred and twenty Ross 308 one day old broilers were randomly assigned into 4 groups: CON+, infected with Eimeria mixed oocysts but not medicated; CON-, not infected and not medicated; CLO, infected and medicated with Clopidol; DIC, infected and medicated with Diclazuril. Chickens in all groups except negative control were inoculated by mixed sporulated oocysts of pathogenic Eimeria at the end of the 3rd week of age. Oocyst shedding was counted using a Mc Master counting chamber. Body weights, body weight gains, and feed conversion ratio were determined on weekly basis.

RESULTS: Obtained results showed that Diclazuril was more effective in reducing oocyst shedding than Clopidol. As expected, mean body weight in the positive control group was lower than other groups. But surprisingly, no significant difference was found between Diclazuril or Clopidol treated birds and positive control group, at the end of the experiment. In comparison of weight gain in different treatment groups except for the 4 and 5th week, no significant difference was found in different groups. In the last week of the experiment, difference in weight gain between groups was not significant. According to feed conversion ratio [FCR] results, anticoccidial supplementation did not have any significant effect on improving FCR.

CONCLUSIONS: It is reported that some anticoccidials reduce feed consumption and feed conversion. It seems that neither of the present synthetic anticoccidials is completely satisfactory in controlling coccidiosis economic losses and new strategies are urgently required.

First report of ancylostoma tubaeforme in persian leopard [panther a pardus saxicolor]

Ancylostoma tubaeforme was originally described as a separate species parasitizing the cat. The adults of A. tubaeforme are 7 to 12 mm long. A. tubaeforme can be differentiated from the adults of A. braziliense and A. ceylanicum by the presence of three teeth. Here we describe the first report of A. tubaeforme in a Persian young female leopard, 2-3 years old, with head and trunk length 120 centimeters, length of tail 98 centimeters and body weight 35 kilograms

First report of intestinal myiasis due to eristalis tenax in Iran

Eristalis tenax, belonging to order Diptera, family Syrphidae seldomly causes intestinal myiasis. Intestinal myiasis caused by E. tenax larvae is a rare manifestation found in both humans and other vertebrate animals. We report a 22-year-old woman presented with this myiasis. The larva in her stool sample was identified as E. tenax related to its typical morphology and authentic clues. Lack of specific control measures in the domestic water supply system was the most probable cause of this infestation