Evaluation of the in vivo anthelmintic activity of grape pomace extract in naturally infected sheep kept on pasture

Abstract

The work aims to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of crude grape marc extract against gastrointestinal nematodes of naturally infected sheep, reared on pasture, through in vivo tests. The experiment will take place in the municipality of Castilho - SP, using 30 sheep distributed in three groups with 10 animals each, in a completely randomized design (DIC): Group 1 - positive control, treated with levamisole hydrochloride 5% (RIPERCOL® L Solution) at a dose of 5 mg/kg of live weight; Group 2 - crude grape marc extract, at a dose of 1 ml for each 5 kg of live weight; Group 3 - negative control with saline solution. For the preparation of the extract, the grape marc will undergo drying, crushing, exhaustive maceration with 70% ethanol (5 days), evaporation of the solvent, and stored in a freezer until the time of application to the animals. Fecal samples will be collected individually on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 to evaluate OPG (eggs per gram of feces) by counting eggs through the McMaster chamber. The coproculture of feces removed from donor animals will be carried out for the identification of nematodes through the identification of infective larvae (L3). Blood collection will be performed together with the collection of feces, on days 0, 7, and 14, by venipuncture of the external jugular vein, to obtain the serum and subsequent biochemical analysis. The biochemical parameters will be analyzed in the animals submitted to the crude grape marc extract and in the negative control animals for comparative evaluation of possible toxicity. The percentage of reduction in the OPG number (R-OPG) of the treated groups in relation to the control group will be analyzed using the 'Reso' FECRT Analysis Program, version 2.0.(AU)