The Toxic Effects of Some Range Plants in Livestock in Butana Area

Abstract

The study was conducted over three –years period at Butana Rangeland to investigate the toxicity of some range plants, and their effect on animals. The first survey and questionnaires were done at 2005- 2006, the second one at 2007- 2008. Questionnaire a Survey were used to collect standard information during personal interviews livestock owners, the local leaders , pastoralists , farmers unions , contact farmers, village development committees , local councils , civil society organizations, the agent pasture manager and veterinary practitioners., the local people, nomad, , and herbalist practitioner. They answered different question about toxic plants, their effects on animals and their other uses . The first questionnaire and survey revealed that the claims of the poisonous plants included neurointoxication, locomotor disorders, bloat, abortion, weakness, loss of weight gain, effect on quality and quantity of milk production and/or mortality, especially during drought and feed scarcity. The selected range plants species tested in these treatments were Abutilon figaranium, Amaranthus spinosus, Calotropis procera, Cassia senna, Heliotropium ovalifolium and Tribulus terrestris. Green branches and leaves of the selected plants were collected at August-September 2006, dried on shade and room temperature, hammered and ground. Their aqueous extracts were prepared; freeze dried and kept in the refrigerator. The mice were used as test animals to study the toxic effect of the selected range plants. The study was conducted at "Zayed Complex for Herbal Research and Traditional Medicine". Treated groups of albino mice of both sexes were administrated with plant extracts at different doses separately. The other groups were administrated with distilled water at the same doses and serve as control. The treated and control groups of animals were observed for gross behavioral signs and symptoms of toxicity, using a battery of tests. Autonomic, behavioral, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, ocular, gastrointestinal, body 10 weights, rectal temperature, locomotor, motor co-ordination, Rota-rod , grip strength and mortality.. Toxicological study results revealed that the mice administrated aqueous extract showed passivity, sluggishness, sedation, dyspnea, weakness , impounding to corner, restricted movement ,bleeding ear, drooping head, congestion, irritation, sensitivity to sound and touch and swelling of the right side of the upper abdomen ; at the next day the animal died. Two g/kg, p.o. dose produced significant decrease in the rectal temperature. Haematological studies showed a decrease in white blood cells with increase in platelets. Four g/kg b.w /day dose for 2weeks caused significantly higher mortality, increased urination and decreased- frequent defecations except in senna. Intravenous injection showed increases in heart beat and respiration leading to distress and death. T h e second questionnaire was distributed to verify the clinical signs and those described by pastoralist as occurring cases due to feed on the .selected range plants as staggers ,bloat, diarrhea ,bleeding and photo-sensitivity and bloat The objectives:- 1-Identification of toxic species in Butana Range lands 2-investicate the effects on animals and sign out the toxicity symptoms 3. Find out the photochemical constituents 4-Recognize the nutritive values of the selective plants