TITLE:
In-Vitro Activity of Croton macrostachyus Hochst. Ex Delile against Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi, 1803) Cobb, 1898
AUTHORS:
Onyango Bethwell Owuor
KEYWORDS:
Croton macrostachyus, Haemonchus contortus, Anthelmintic Activity, Haemonchosis, Traditional Knowledge, Kenya
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.7,
July
16,
2026
ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the in vitro anthelmintic activity of hexane and methanolic extracts of Croton macrostachyus against Haemonchus contortus. Extracts were tested at concentrations of 25, 50 and 100 mg/ml, with levamisole (10 mg/ml) and DMSO (0.5%) as positive and negative controls, respectively. Both extracts demonstrated dose-dependent efficacy, with the hexane extract exhibiting superior performance. At 100 mg/ml, the hexane extract induced paralysis in 30.00 ± 1.00 minutes and mortality in 103.00 ± 2.65 minutes, compared to 35.00 ± 1.00 and 66.00 ± 1.00 minutes for the methanolic extract. The 25 mg/ml concentration failed to induce mortality with either extract. Although slower than levamisole (which induced paralysis in 8.67 ± 0.58 minutes and mortality in 11.00 ± 1.00 minutes), the hexane extract’s rapid paralysis at 100 mg/ml effectively halts parasite blood-feeding. Statistical analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test confirmed significant differences in both paralysis (H = 22.60, p = 0.002) and mortality times (H = 16.35, p = 0.006) across all treatment groups. The low standard deviations across replicates confirm reproducible anthelmintic activity. These findings support the traditional ethnoveterinary use of C. macrostachyus in Africa and indicate that the hexane fraction has promising in vitro activity against adult H. contortus. However, the results should be interpreted as preliminary laboratory evidence rather than confirmation of practical field efficacy. Further studies are required to isolate the active compounds, evaluate safety and dosage, and validate efficacy under in vivo and field conditions.