Nematocidal effects of tobacco infusion (tuibur) against intestinal helminth parasites of chicken

Abstract

To study the effect of tobacco infusion, locally known as tuibur in Mizoram, as an antiparasitic agent. A traditionally prepared tobacco infusion was tested for its possible effects on the nematode parasite, Ascaridia galli. The tobacco infusion was prepared in an exponential increase of concentrations, viz. 12.5, 25 and 50% from the original solution. Live and sentient A. galli were collected from the intestines of freshly slaughtered chicken, Gallus gallus domesticus. They were maintained in culture plates that contained phosphatebuffered saline (PBS) in a biological incubator maintained at 37±1ºC. Both tobacco infusion and standard drug showed a dose-dependent efficacy against the nematodes. Scanning electron microscopy of tobacco infusion-treated nematodes showed extensive structural damage. The sensory amphid w a s r u p t u r e d , a n d t h e surrounding lips collapsed. The cuticle was distorted and shrunk all over the body as patchy rows of longitudinal corrugations. Our data shows evidence that tobacco infusion has anthelmintic activity on parasitic nematodes and may serve as a promising candidate for pharmaceutical development.