Anthelmintic Efficacy of Garlic against Common Gastrointestinal Parasites in Sheep in Lesotho

KOMPI, PASEKA Pascalis; Seeng, Khomojoo Camilla

doi:10.21608/javs.2025.405911.1681

Anthelmintic Efficacy of Garlic against Common Gastrointestinal Parasites in Sheep in Lesotho

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Lesotho, Lesotho

10.21608/javs.2025.405911.1681

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) against common gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs) in lambs at the National University of Lesotho (NUL) farm. A total of 17 lambs were purposively selected and randomly allocated to four treatment groups, including three garlic dosage levels (5 ml, 10 ml, and 15 ml) and a control group treated with the commercial anthelmintic, Prodose Orange. SPSS version 20 was used for the analysis of the data, where the paired sample T-test was used to determine the reduction rate in faecal egg counts, while the Kruskal-Walli’s test was used to determine the effectiveness between different levels. Two types of GIPs were identified, namely nematodes and coccidian, both with a 100% prevalence rate. In terms of faecal egg abundance, nematodes were significantly higher than coccidia. For efficacy determination, only nematodes were used. Garlic at the dosage rates of 10 ml and 15 ml yielded a statistically similar reduction rate to that of Prodose Orange 14 days after treatment. When determining the fecal egg reappearance period after 28 days, it was observed that garlic at a dosage rate of 10 ml demonstrated an insignificant increase similar to prodose orange, while a dosage rate of 15 ml demonstrated a significant increase, suggesting that it remains effective but for a short time. It is therefore concluded that garlic, particularly at the dosage rate of 10 ml, is effective for the control of GIPs and can be used interchangeably with Prodose Orange due to their similar performance.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Parasitology

References

ABDUL-RAHMAN, I.I., ASIEDU, N.V., and ISSAH, B., 2023. Efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) as an anthelmintic in djallonke goats. Ghanaian Journal of Animal Science, 14:1. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/gjansci.v14i1.10

ADEPPA, J., ANANDA, K.J., KRISHNA MURTHY, C.M., and SATHEESH, G.M., 2014. Incidence of gastro-intestinal parasites in horses of Shimoga region, Karnataka state. Journal of Parasitic Disease, 40(3): 919–921. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-014-0605-5

ANOSIKE, F., O., EJEZIE, F., and OKONKWO, O., 2017. Allicin and its anthelmintic properties. International Journal of Veterinary Science and Medicine, 5(1), 12–19.

BATOOL, A., SAJID, M.S., RIZWAN, H.M., IQBAL, A., RASHID, I., and JAN. I., 2022. Association of various risk factors with the distribution of gastrointestinal, haemo and ectoparasites in small ruminants. Journal of Animal Health Production; 10(2):204–213. http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.jahp/2022/10.2.204.213

BERHANU, D. 2023. Best practices in fecal sample handling for parasitological examination. Ethiopian Veterinary Journal, 27(1), 34–40.

BLESSING, N., TENDAI, M., and TAWANDA, S., 2010. Comparison of garlic and synthetic drugs on parasite reduction in goats. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 5(5), 413–417.

CHAI, J., LONG, Y., LI, X and ZHANG, H. 2023. Ground-level grazing and parasite infection in sheep. Journal of Veterinary Epidemiology, 40(2), 55–62.

DESALEGN, C and BERHANU, G. 2023. Assessment of the Epidemiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract Nematode Parasites in Sheep in Toke Kutaye, West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia. Vereterinary medicine; 14:177–183. https://doi.org/10.2147/vmrr.s427828

EGUALE, T., TADESSE, F and DEGU, F. 2021. Anthelmintic effects of medicinal plants in Ethiopia. Helminthologia, 58(1), 1–9.

HOUSSEYN, A.H., RANDA, B., NOUZ, H., AMMAR, A and OMAR, B. 2025. Antimicrobial Resistance of E. coli Isolated from Broiler Flocks and Slaughterhouses in Batna District, Algeria. Journal of Applied Veterinary Sciences, 10 (1): 22-31. https://doi.org/10.21608/javs.2024.324530.1433

KAPLAN, R.M. 2010. The emerging challenge of anthelmintic resistance. Veterinary Parasitology, 185(1), 13–20.

KELEMEWORK, T., FUFA, A., and TSEGAYE, W., 2016. Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths of sheep. Ethiopian Veterinary Journal, 20(1), 45–52.

KOMPI, P.P., and MOJAI. M.J., 2024. Availability and Rational Use of Veterinary Drugs Among Sheep (Ovis Aries) Producers in Lesotho. Journal of Applied Veterinary Sciences, 9 (4): 81 - 88. https://dx.doi.org/10.21608/j avs.2024.317674.1407

KULEILE. N., ITUMELENG, M., CALELANE, T., and TEBOHO. J., 2019. The effects of different litter material on broiler performance and feet health. Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research. 9(5). https://dx.doi.org/10.36380/scil.2019.ojafr29

KYVSGAARD, N.C., LINDBOM, J., ANDREASEN, L.L., LUNA-OLIVARES, L.A., NIELSEN, M.K., and MONRAD, J., 2011. Prevalence of strongyles and efficacy of fenbendazole and ivermectin in working horses in El Sauce, Nicaragua. Veterinary Parasitology, 181(2-4): 248-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.04.002

MAHLEHLA M. A., MOLAPO, S. M., PHOOFOLO, M. W., MATEBESI, P. A., PHALATSI, M., and MOILOA, M. J., 2021. Awareness and control methods of gastrointestinal parasites of Merino sheep among farmers from different agro-ecological zones of Lesotho. Veterinary world, 14(9), 2554-2560. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2021.2554-2560

MAKOLOI, M.E. 2021. Impact of climate variability and change on sorghum yield in Lesotho.

MARO, P. 2011. Environmental change in Lesotho: An analysis of the causes and consequences of land-use change in the lowland region. Springer Verlag.

MASSAMHA, B., GADZIRAYI, C.T., and MUKUTIRWA, I., 2010. Efficacy of Allium Sativum (Garlic) in controlling nematode parasites in sheep. International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine. 8 (3): 161–169.

MCKENNA, P. 2018. Update anthelmintic reistance. In: VetScript (New Zealand Veterinary Association), 44–45.

MOLEFE, N.I., MOEKETSI, T., and MATELA, L., 2020. Resistance trends in commercial anthelmintics in Southern Africa. African Journal of Livestock Extension, 11(1), 33–39.

MOSES, B.K., EZE, I.U., and NDUBUISI, C.M., 2016. Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in sheep in Southeastern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, 37(1), 9–15.

MUTUNGA, J.K., NJOROGE, P.W., and GITAU, L., 2021. Efficacy of Albizia anthelmintica sagainst GIN in sheep. Kenya Veterinary Journal, 37(2), 19–25.

SACKETT, D., and HOLMES, P., 2006. Assessing the Economic Cost of Endemic Disease on the Profitability of Australian Beef Cattle and Sheep Producers., Meat and Livestock (MLA) Limited: Sydney. mla.com.au.

SALES, N., and LOVE, S., 2016. Resistance of Haemonchus sp. to monepantel and reduced efficacy of a derquantel/abamectin combination confirmed in sheep in NSW, Australia Veterinary Parasitology. 228, 193–196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.08.016

SHALABY, H.A. 2013. Anthelmintics resistance; how to overcome it? Iranian Journal of Parasitology. 8(1): 18-32.

SHWE, Z.M., TUN, T. A., and WIN, T., 2020. Prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep under smallholder systems. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 8(1), 34–40.

SINGH, G., SINGH, R., VERMA, P.K., SINGH, R., and AERMA, A., 2015. Anthelmintic efficacy of aqueous extract of Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntez against Haemonchus contortus of sheep and goats. The Journal of Parasitic Diseases. 39: 200–205. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-013-0324-3

SUNITA, K., KUMAR, P., and SINGH, D.K., 2013. Fasciolosis Control: Phytotherapy of host snail Lymnaea acuminata by allicin to kill Fasciola gigantica larvae. Annual Research & Review in Biology. 3(4): 694-704.

TADESSE, F., ASMARE, K., and ABEBE, T., 2017. Efficacy of garlic against gastrointestinal parasites in goats. Ethiopian Veterinary Journal, 21(2), 89–95.

TOULAH, F. H., and Al-RAWI, M.M., 2007. Efficacy of garlic extract on hepatic coccidiosis in infected rabbits (Oryctolaguscuniculus): histol biochem stud J, Egypt.

VEALE, P.I. 2002. Resistance to macrocyclic lactones in nematodes of goats. Australia Veterinary Parasitology. 80: 303-304. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2002.tb10852.x

WORKU, M., FRANCO, R., and BALDWIN, K., 2009. Efficacy of garlic as an anthelminthic in adult boer goats. Archive Biological Science Belgrade. 61 (1): 135-140.

YAN. X., LIU, M., HE, S., TONG, T., LIU, Y., and DING, K., 2021. An epidemiological study of gastrointestinal nematode and Eimeria coccidia infections in different populations of Kazakh sheep. PLoS ONE 16(5): e0251307. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251307

ZHONG, R.Z., LI, H.Y., FANG, Y., SUN, H.X., and ZHOU, D.W., 2015. Effects of dietary supplementation with green tea polyphenols on digestion and meat quality in lambs infected with Haemonthus contoutus. Meat Science. 105: 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2015.02.003