The effect of Momordica charantia extract on sheep infected with Haemonchus contortus

Res Vet Sci. 2024 Nov:180:105401. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105401. Epub 2024 Sep 4.

Abstract

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) has several biological properties including anthelmintic activity. Presented in vivo study evaluated the anthelmintic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of M. charantia Presented in vivo study (HEMC) and its effect on animal performance, carcass characteristics and lamb meat quality in animals infected by Haemonchus contortus. The HEMC demonstrated effectiveness against the parasite. Lambs treated with HEMC showed a significant reduction in egg count per gram of faeces and in the number of parasites in the abomasum. However, nutrient intake decreased with increasing doses of HEMC, leading to reductions in final live weight and carcass weight. No significant effects were observed on meat quality. Therefore, it is concluded that HEMC presents anthelmintic action, but it also impairs animal performance, highlighting the need to assess the benefits and impacts of HEMC use for H. contortus control.

Keywords: Anthelmintic; Bioactive compounds; Bitter gourd; Haemonchosis; M. charantia; Sheep.

MeSH terms

  • Abomasum / drug effects
  • Abomasum / parasitology
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics* / pharmacology
  • Anthelmintics* / therapeutic use
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Haemonchiasis* / drug therapy
  • Haemonchiasis* / veterinary
  • Haemonchus* / drug effects
  • Male
  • Meat / parasitology
  • Momordica charantia* / chemistry
  • Parasite Egg Count* / veterinary
  • Plant Extracts* / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts* / therapeutic use
  • Sheep
  • Sheep Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Sheep Diseases* / parasitology

Substances

  • Plant Extracts
  • Anthelmintics