The cases presented here focuses on major viral disease in family poultry enterprises in the developing world. Family poultry enterprises normally consist of small to medium-sized flocks of free-ranging birds. They are typically owned and cared for by household women and children. Input cost on feed and housing is minimal and veterinary input cost is almost zero means they do not use vaccines and medicines. Arguably, viruses are responsible for the most massive and pervasive economic losses from disease of poultry worldwide—especially in family enterprises, but also in agro-industrial poultry production. Newcastle’s disease (ND) is perhaps the best known of these banes. These enterprises do never afford vaccines and neither have any awareness.
ND is especially devastating to free-ranging flocks in developing countries, where it kills 70% to 80% of unvaccinated birds every year. Indeed, Africans’ choice of EVM to treat poultry diseases in general reportedly ranges from 55% of family producers in Mozambique to 79% in Botswana. Across Africa, people use many botanicals to control ND. Usually, the Materia Medica are crushed and then mixed into birds’ drinking water.
Aloe secundiflora
In a controlled experiment, an extract of Aloe secundiflora was prepared in much the same way as villagers prepare it. It was composed of the inner gel, containing antiviral polysaccharides such as acemannan, and the outer sap, containing anthraquinone glycosides. The extract was administered to or withheld from treatment or control groups of chickens purposely infected with ND at the same time. Administered at the time of infection, this traditional medicine decreased mortality by 21.6%. Pretreatment with the extract for 2 weeks before infection decreased mortality by 31.6%. Because most farmers are aware of the seasonality of ND, pretreatment is feasible. The anthraquinone components in Aloe species (aloenin and aloin) are at least partially responsible for the anti–ND virus activity. Indeed, enveloped viruses seem to be particularly sensitive to anthraquinones.
Azadirachta indica
This plant acts against both ND and foot-and-mouth disease viruses However, its usefulness against ND is likely better explained by its anti-inflammatory and immune stimulating properties.
Capsicum spp
The key constituent is capsaicin, which may improve disease resistance in poultry. For controlling ND, African families use Capsicum (especially Capsicum frutescens) in combination with other species such as Aloe secundiflora, Amaranthus hybridicus, Iboza multiflora, Khaya senegalensis, and Lagenaria breviflora.
Euphorbia ingens
In a small clinical trial (Guèye, 2002), branches of this plant were crushed and soaked in chickens’ drinking water overnight. When this water was administered at the same time that the birds were infected with ND, mortality decreased by 38.4% in comparison with controls. With pretreatment, mortality fell by 100%. Although the antiviral properties of EVM treatments for ND are important, other EVM responses to ND may provide symptomatic relief or immune system support. These effects should not be overlooked. This is especially true for family poultry, which are almost invariably infected with velogenic ND. Retrospective studies of these experiences will be helpful in development of effective new products which can helps in cure of viral diseases.
Curcuma longa
Curcumin can also downregulate the expression of various pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and chemokines, most likely through the inactivation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. Interestingly, however, curcumin at low doses can also enhance antibody responses.
This is just an example that how we can explore potential antiviral herbs. During above exploration I came across many surprisingly unique points of avian immunology along with herbs and molecules that could effectively regulate it. With the help of the above information I designed a product named VIROCON few years back which control mortalities in severe viral outbreaks. I mean it is really possible to save birds sometimes through knowledge of immunology and special intervention in the light of scientific evidences.
