Journal of Veterinary Parasitology

Anticoccidial efficacy of “Coxynil” a polyherbal preparation was tested against Eimeria tenella in broilers. One hundred twenty day-old broiler chicks were divided into 3 experimental groups, each group having 40 chicks and were maintained on coccidia-free diet. Groups A and B were challenged with 5 x 10⁴ sporulated oocysts of E. tenella at day 30 of age. Body weight, clinical symptoms, oocyst excretions, lesion score, pathological observations and immunological parameters were studied. Body weights were higher and oocyst output, lesion score and haemagglutination inhibitors (HI) titres against New Castle disease virus were significantly (P<0.01) better in Coxynil supplemented group. The typical second generation schizonts were absent in ceacal section of “Coxynil” treated groups. The study suggests that “Coxynil” is an effective herbal coccidiostat, although further work is warranted to elucidate the mechanism of action.