Comparative study of the effects of albendazole and annual mug wort (Artemisia annua) powder on gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle

Abstract

Nowadays, cattle breeding is a major economic issue throughout the world. However, gastrointestinal nematode parasitism remains a major sanitary threat on a global scale, affecting animal health, farm productivity and the wellbeing of farmers. Until recently, chemical anthelmintics occupied a prominent place in the fight against these parasites. But some of them have developed resistance to antiparasitic drugs. The objective of this study is to compare the anthelmintic effects of commercial albendazole (8.3 mg/kg body weight) and annual mugwort (Artemesia annua, 100 mg and 150 mg) powder on gastrointestinal roundworms in cattle. Lots of animals were formed in a population of 92 animals, and underwent different treatments: with albendazole and with annual mugwort powder. The results showed that the artemesia annua powder has a strong inhibition on the nematodes but failed to eliminate them completely. Albendazole, for its part, showed a very effective effect with a 100% elimination of nematodes. These results highlight the possibility of using annual mugwort as an alternative to albendazole on farms.