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Abstract

Attempts were made to evaluate in vivo the anti-bacterial potential of whole plant extract of Tridax procumbens L and their effects on haematological values. This was tested on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus to know the degree of effectiveness of the extracts on Gram negative and Gram positive organisms. Sixteen (16) grower rabbits were divided into four (4) treatments of four (4) rabbits per treatment. The rabbits were orogastrically infected with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and were certified to be ill. Treatment 1 was treated with tetracycline, while treatments 2, 3 and 4 were administered 2ml, 3ml and 5ml of the Tridax procumbens L extracts respectively with 10 mg/ml as the concentration of the extract. The blood samples were collected aseptically from the rabbits through the jugular vein for the determination of haematological values. Their antibacterial activities were evaluated in vivo against Gram positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus) and a Gram negative bacterium (Escherichia coli). The extracts at various levels exhibited a pronounced antibacterial activity against the two organisms. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) between T1 with oxytetracycline and other treatment groups with Tridax procumbens L extracts in the antibacterial activities, haematological values and weight gain. Tridax procumbens whole plant extracts possess broad spectrum antibacterial activities and more effective in the clearing of the bacterial cells than the synthetic antibiotic drug (tetracycline). This result supports the traditional use of Tridax procumbens L. whole plant as an antibacterial agent and feed ingredient for rabbits.