Additional feeding of Asa foetida to sheep infested with Haemonchus contortus: Evaluation of fecal egg count and haematocrit

Introduction: Asa foetida, the resinous product extracted of Ferula assa-foetida L., is used as a remedy in the central region of Asia in diseases including endoparasitism in humans. In this trial powdery Asa foetida was additionally fed to sheep, infected with Haemonchus contortus, to evaluate fecal egg count and haematocrit.

Material and methods: 17 endoparasite free sheep, were assigned to control group (n = 5), group 1 simple concentration (n = 6) and group 2 double concentration (n = 6). The sheep were infected with 3000 larvae III of Haemonchus contortus. 4 weeks after infection group 1 was fed 0,08 g Asa foetida 5-fold concentrate solved in 10 ml water per animal per day and group 2 was fed twice of the amount (0,16 g). Control group received 10 ml water only. Asa foetida was fed daily over a period of three weeks. Fecal egg count and haematocrit were performed weekly. The powdery Asa foetida was bought in a pharmacy. The trial was approved by the government (Ges-140378/6 – 2012-Hi).

Results: In fecal egg count no effect could be detected. At the end of the observation period fecal egg count was reduced in all groups but most in group 2. In haematocrit no statistical differences were found between groups but haematocrit in Asa foetida groups were higher during the whole examination period.

Conclusions: The additional feeding of two concentrations of Asa foetida to sheep, infected with Haemonchus contortus, confirmed no effect on fecal egg count and haematocrit. The missing effect could be connected with low amounts of sulfur compounds (7.6 ppm E-n-propenyl-s-butyl-disulfide and 4.6 ppm Z-n-propenyl-s-butyl-disulfide). Other samples of Asa foetida from Afghanistan showed much higher amounts of these compounds (more than 3000 mg/kg) but pharmacopeia quality was not ensured. More information and examination are necessary in pharmacologically active constituents in different species of Ferula assa foetida to be recommended in additional feeding for endoparasite control.