Anthelmintic Potency of Pawpaw (Carica papaya) Seeds in West African Dwarf (WAD) Sheep

Abstract

2 Absract: The anthelmintic potency of the aqueous and crude extract of Carica papaya seeds was studied in 40 WAD sheep naturally infected with nematodes. They were randomly divided into 4 groups, A, B, C and D with 10 animals per group. Group A animals were untreated, while those in group B were treated with proprietary anthelmintic (Mebendazole). Groups C and D animals were treated with powdery and aqueous forms of C.papaya via oral routes respectively. Two weeks after treatment, blood and faecal samples were collected to evaluate haematological values and faecal egg counts respectively. The procedure was repeated two weeks later. Results of this study showed that the powdery and aqueous C.papaya after its administration produced a significant increase (P< 0.001) in PCV, RBC, Hb conc. and lymphocyte counts and significant decreased in eosinophil counts. The faecal egg counts also showed a remarkable and significant reduction in the levels of the identified helminths. The reduction in faecal egg counts was more pronounced with the aqueous extract than crude extract administered through the oral route. The effects of the C.papaya seed extracts were broad spectrum in action. The papain compound present in the C.papaya seed extracts could have caused reduction in worm load through this same mechanism that culminates in exhaustion and death of worms. Since the aqueous and crude extract of C.papaya significantly reduced the faecal egg counts of the helminths, it could serve as an anthelmintic agent.