Efficacy of herbal preparations Andrographis echioides Nees. and Leucas aspera Linn. against experimentally induced Eimeria tenella infection in broilers

The prophylactic efficacy of two herbs Andrographis echioides and Leucas aspera were evaluated against Eimeria tenella infection in broilers. For clinical trial six group of 25 day-old chicks each were made. Groups A and B were maintained on Andrographis echioides and Leucas aspera at 1000 mg, Group C on salinomycin at 50 mg and group D on combination of both the herbs at 500 mg of each mixed per kg of feed. Whereas group E and F were kept as infected un-medicated and uninfected un-medicated control, respectively. Groups A to E was experimentally infected with sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella at day 32 of age. The comparative analysis of the lesions and lesion scores of infected groups revealed the prophylactic efficacy of the two herbs and salinomycin. Mortality was observed in group D and E. The oocysts production was higher in the birds of group E followed by D and it was distinctly lower in A, B and C. The statistical analysis of growth parameters of groups A, B, C and F revealed significant difference with group D and E, which indicates good prophylactic effect of two herbs when used alone and salinomycin against caecal coccidiosis.