Anticoccidial activity of black cumin (Nigella sativa)‎ in rabbits

Abstract EN

A total of 60 males New Zealand white rabbits (free from coccidian infection as determined by coccidian-free fecal samples over 7 consecutive days) were weighed and distributed into five equal groups of 12 rabbits each.

First group (G1) was left as uninfected and untreated (negative control), second group (G2) was left as uninfected and treated with N.

sativa seed oil.

Rabbits of three other groups (G3, G4) and G5) were inoculated with 1x104 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria stiedae per each rabbit through a gastric tube.

The third group (G3) was left untreated and considered as positive control.

At day 14 post inoculation (PI), the rabbits of fourth group (G4) were treated with N.

sativa seed oil in a dose of 500 mg / kg BW for successive 14 days.

Meanwhile, the rabbits of fifth group (G5) were given N.

sativa seed oil for 7 days before infection and continued for 28 days PI with the same dose.

Fecal oocysts were collected and counted using a modified McMaster technique on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 PI.

At 28 day PI, blood samples were collected and the serum was prepared and kept in deep freezer at -20 ºC for determination of serum AST, ALT, total cholesterol, creatinine, total protein and albumin.

On the 28th day PI, bilary oocysts were counted ; liver lesions were scored and the relative liver weights were reported in five rabbits from each group.

As well as fresh liver tissue specimens of the sacrificed rabbits were fixed in 10% formalin.

Sections 5-7 μm thickness were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for the histopathological examination.

Rabbits were weighed at the beginning of the experiment (0 day) and on days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 PI.

The fecal and bilary oocysts output and liver lesion scoring in treated rabbits of G5 were decreased when compared with those of G4 on day 28 PI (14 days PI).

Serum levels of liver enzymes (ALT and AST), total cholesterol and creatinine were decreased in G5 when compared with G4 and G2.

However, the levels of total protein, albumin and globulin in G5 were increased and directed toward the normal level when compared with G4 and G2.

By day 35 PI, the treated rabbits with the N.

sativa seed oil for 28 days PI (G5) gained more weight and weight gain than those treated for 14 days PI (G4).

Liver weights drastically decreased in the G5 animals as compared with G4 and positive control (G3) on day 28 PI.

Number of developmental stages of E.

stiedae was decreased in G5 when compared to G4 and G2.

Mortality % of infected rabbits was 8.33 % in G5, 16.67 % in G4, 41.67 % in G3 however there were no mortalities in Groups 1 and 2.

Following treatment with N.

sativa seed oil, visible improvement was present in the liver structure of G5 on day 28 PI.

It could be concluded that N.

sativa seed oil is safe and gives a good effectiveness in control of E.

stiedae infection in rabbits.

Also it gives an improvement of growth performance, liver and kidney functions.

Although presence of hyperplasia in the columnar epithelial cells of the bile ducts that may be recovered by time.