Prospects of botanical dewormers with especial reference to Kashmir

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of anthelmintic resistant strains of helminth parasites, drug residues in animal products and high cost of marketed anthelmintics has enhanced an attention in studying medicinal plants as an alternative source of anthelmintics. Alkaloids, alpha-pinene, artemisin, benzyl isothiocynate, Cucurbitacin, dithymoquinone, genistein, papain, phenolic compound, tannin and thymoquinone are some active constituents found in different plants and act against the helminth parasites of animals and human beings. Mostly the tannin-rich forages offer an alternative to anthelmintic chemicals in controlling gastrointestinal nematodes. The traditional use of different plants showing the anthelmintic activities against various endoparasites of animals in different regions of country with special reference to the Kashmir valley are reviewed in this communication