Effectiveness of elephantorhiza elephantina as traditional plant used as the alternative for controlling coccidia infections in goats.

Abstract

Elephantorrhiza elephantina Bruch Skeels is used by farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa to control Gastro-intestinal parasites in goats. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of E. elephantina on coccidia oocysts and determine the effectiveness of the dose levels on goats. Thirty six goats (18 males and 18 females) between ages of 8-12 months were used; randomly assigned to six treatments (A-F).  Treatments A and B received Prodose orange® at 2ml/10kg and distilled water at 0.5 ml/kg per goat respectively, whereas treatments C (12.5mg/ml), D (25mg/ml), E (50mg/ml) and F (75mg/ml) received aqueous extract of E. elephantina at different concentrations dosed at 2ml/10kg.  Faecal samples were collected on first month, second month and third month for faecal egg counts (FEC) and body-weights recorded to assess weight changes. Animals receiving the extract had weight increases of between 3 to 4 kg by end of experiment, but those drenched with Prodose orange ® gained by less than 2 kg. Findings are indicative that E. elephantina possess some anti-coccidian properties against coccidia oocysts in goats.

Keywords: Elephantorrhiza elephantina; faecal egg counts; coccidia oocysts, Ethno-veterinary medicine.