Suleiman, M.M. (Mohammed Musa)Duncan, N.M. (Neil)Eloff, Jacobus NicolaasNaidoo, Vinny2013-02-192013-02-192012-10-31Suleiman et al.: A controlled study to determine the efficacy of Loxostylis alata (Anacardiaceae) in the treatment of aspergillus in a chicken (Gallus domesticus) model in comparison to ketoconazole. BMC Veterinary Research 2012 8:210.1746-614810.1186/1746-6148-8-21070055894458621439700A-1508-2008http://hdl.handle.net/2263/21087BACKGROUND: The poultry industry due to intensive methods of farming is burdened with losses from numerous infectious agents, of which one is the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. In a preliminary study, the extracts of Loxostylis alata A. Spreng, ex Rchb. showed good activity in vitro against A. fumigatus with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.07 mg/ml. For this study crude, a crude acetone extract of L. alata leaves was evaluated for its acute toxicity in a healthy chicken model and for efficacy in an infectious model of aspergillosis (A. fumigatus). RESULTS: At a dose of 300 mg/kg, the extract induced some toxicity characterised by decreased feed intake and weight loss. Consequently, 100 and 200 mg/kg were used to ascertain efficacy in the infectious model. The plant extract significantly reduced clinical disease in comparison to the control in a dose dependant manner. The extract was as effective as the positive control ketoconazole dosed at 60 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that a crude extract of L. alata leaves has potential as an antifungal agent to protect poultry against avian aspergillosis.en© 2012 Suleiman et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution LicenseLoxostylis alataAspergillosisBroiler chickensAlternative veterinary medicinePoultry -- InfectionsArticle