Recent Advances in Disease Control by Natural Products in Animals and Birds in Bangladesh

Use of herbs for curing diseases is well documented in the history of all civilizations. Because of the increasing reports of the possible hazards in using synthetic products in animals, natural products are rapidly establishing their credibility. At least 60 different varieties of plants, herbs and shrubs grown in Bangladesh have recognized medicinal properties, and are being used by Village Doctors like Hekims and Quacks for treating diseases in man and animals. A number of natural products are commercially available in Bangladesh most of which are used as feed additives, though few have antibacterial and anticoccidial use. Recent studies revealed that ethanol extract of Ata (Annona reticulatd) at 2% concentration as spray showed highest efficacy (100%) followed by aqueous extract of Bishkatali (Polygonum hydropiper) against Boophilus microplus. Ethanol extracts of Neem (Azadirachta indica), bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) and Padmagulancha (Tinospora tomentosa) were highly effective against common stomach worm Haemonchus contortus in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) has been found very effective against chicken coccidiosis. Birds receiving bitter gourd powder with feed had almost a similar weight gain compared with uninfected control chicks, and both these groups of chicks gained significantly higher (P