Acaricidal Efficacy of Cassia sieberiana (In-vitro and In-vivo) against Sarcoptes scabiei var cuniculli on Experimentally Infested Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

Cassia saberriana contains varying degree of glycoside, saponins, tannin, alkaloid and terpene as these were bases for selection in the study based on their current and past use in traditional medicine. Local and traditional knowledge has been the starting point for many successful drug development projects in the past and such approach is generally based on a detailed observation of how local populations uses the plants. Acaricidal Efficacy of Cassia sieberiana (In-vitro and In-vivo) against Sarcoptes scabiei var cuniculli on Experimentally Infested Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Was evaluated using Eighteen (18) Rabbits both male (n=9) and female (n=9) at post-weaned ages (8-10 weeks), New Zealand white breed were used for the study. Table 1. Shows out of the 15 rabbits, 1 rabbit (6.7%) did not show any signs of infestation at all. Among the rabbits showing infestation,13.3% showed slight degree of infestation, moderate infestation was observed in 13.3% of rabbits. However heavy infestation was observed by high levels of pruritus, scaling and alopecia were observed in 66.7% of the rabbits (Table 1). All animals in the negative control (n=3) did not showed any level of infestation during the study period. only erythematous rash was observed on the infected area, no significant change in the behavior of the infected rabbits was observed. At day 14, the skin at the infected area becomes more erythematous and some raised papules were visible even with naked eye. Change in behavior of the infected rabbits was observed, they became restless and scratched the infected area. At day 21 microscopic examination of the skin scraping showed few adults mites and large number of larvae and nymphs. At day 28.  In-vitro assay showed that at 12.5mg/ml 24hours post exposure the extract is capable of killing 2(20%), 28hours 7(70%) while 72hours 8(80%) but other concentrations have not shown effectiveness on mites even beyond 72hours. Moreover, the LC99 which is 12.5mg/ml when used In-vivo on experimentally infested rabbits did not show effectiveness even beyond 35days of treatment. Further studies on Methanol extract and other solvents and parts of the plant such as the leaves, flowers and the pods should be tried to demonstrate the effectiveness of the plants medicinal used or in other organisms such as gastrointestinal helminths.