Usage of phytochemicals in veterinary practice

Abstract

Plants have been and still are a major source of medicaments either as traditional preparations or by supplying pure active principles. Knowledge of plant phytochemistry provides a basic framework for using plant materials as potential therapeutic agents in the field of medicine. Phytochemicals have always been in existence and medicinal plants have been traditionally used all over the world. Even today, ethno-veterinary medicine for disease treatment and prevention in livestock is often the only available choice among rural and peri-urban populations, especially in developing countries like India. Moreover, livestock is an important contributor to the economic development of the country and globally, about 90% population still relies on ethno-veterinary remedies for livestock. Nowadays, due to the development of new and sophisticated techniques, phytochemical analysis has attracted the attention of plant scientists and veterinarians alike. Many plants have been identified which show promising abilities in disease prevention and cure.