Background: Trichomonas gallinae is a parasite that causes canker and severe loss and death, especially in young pigeons. Metronidazole (MTZ) is the recommended drug for treating avian trichomoniasis. Due to drug resistance, non-chemical alternatives, such as medicinal plant extracts, are also considered possible therapies for this disease.
Objectives: This study compares the antitrichomonal effects of MTZ with extracts of Camellia sinensis and Ziziphus vulgaris on T. gallinae in vitro.
Methods: Samples of T. gallinae were taken from infected pigeons. Multi-well plates with different concentrations (5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 µg/mL) of plant extracts were used for the in vitro study.
Results: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of C. sinensis extract was 25 µg/mL over 24 h, compared to 50 µg/mL for MTZ. The MIC value of the Z. vulgaris extracts was 50 µg/mL.
Conclusions: The results suggest that the extracts of Z. vulgaris and C. sinensis, as potential natural agents, could have anti-avian trichomoniasis properties. This study also shows that MTZ, C. sinensis and Z. vulgaris are equally effective in preventing the growth of T. gallinae trophozoites in the culture.
Keywords: Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze; Trichomonas gallinae; Ziziphus vulgaris L. (jujube); in vitro.
© 2024 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.