Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) is a highly contagious avian pathogen that poses a significant threat to poultry populations worldwide. The current study investigated the antiviral activity of Gossypium hirsutum extract against NDV in embryonated eggs. G. hirsutum, commonly known as upland cotton, has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties. In this research, the extract was prepared from the leaves of G. hirsutum using a solvent extraction method. Embryonated eggs were inoculated with a virulent strain of NDV, followed by treatment with varying concentrations of G. hirsutum extract. The effects of the extract on viral replication were assessed by measuring viral titers in the allantoic fluid of the eggs. Additionally, histopathological analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of the extract on NDV-induced lesions in the embryonated eggs. The results demonstrated that G. hirsutum extract exhibited significant antiviral activity against NDV in a dose-dependent manner. Lower viral titers were observed in the allantoic fluid of eggs treated with higher concentrations of the extract compared to untreated control eggs. Histopathological examination revealed a reduction in NDV-induced lesions in the embryonated eggs treated with the extract, indicating its potential to mitigate viral pathogenicity. Further investigation into the mechanism of action of G. hirsutum extract revealed its ability to interfere with viral attachment and entry into host cells. The extract was found to block viral replication by inhibiting key steps in the viral life cycle. Moreover, the extract demonstrated low cytotoxicity, suggesting its safety for potential use in poultry. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that G. hirsutum extract has promising antiviral properties against NDV in embryonated eggs. The extract's ability to reduce viral titers and mitigate NDV-induced lesions highlights its potential as a natural alternative for controlling NDV infections in poultry. Future research should focus on elucidating the specific bioactive compounds responsible for the antiviral activity of G. hirsutum extract and exploring its efficacy in vivo.

Thesis Overview

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
There has been a great challenge in recent times in antiviral therapy of poultry diseases. Fewer substances are available for treatment of antiviral infections when compared with the large amount of antibiotics available for treatment of bacterial diseases in poultry; (Esimone et al., 2007). At the same time, the frequency of viral resistance to the relatively few antiviral agents are increasing; (De Clerq, 1993).
One of the most important reasons for lack of success in developing antiviral drugs is due to the nature of infection of viral agents which totally depend upon the cell they invade for their multiplication and survival (Vanden Berghe et al., 1986; Vlietnick et al., 1997). Since many of the existing disinfectants and antiseptics fail to kill all pathogenic viruses, the demand for new antiviral agents is great and needs all possible approaches toward the development of new antiviral drugs.
The research in the use of phytochemicals as antimicrobials for treatment of certain animal diseases is of paramount interest to scientists and the poultry industry, (Hammer et al., 1999). Plants and plant products present some hope to scientists, serving as an alternative avenue to discovery from current mainstream approach of attempting to design narrow spectrum drugs for specific molecular targets, (Cowan, 1999). While numerous reports exist on the antimicrobial effects of these plants against some bacteria, only very few reports exists on the antiviral activity of these plants.
Medicinal herbs have the potential for addressing multiple targets with minor side effects, development of low resistance due to selective pressure of infective agents and cost effectiveness, (Cowan, 1999). The antiviral properties are rarely studied using laboratory based assays to establish their efficacy in traditional medicine, (Esimone et al., 2005).
Conventional techniques for evaluating antiviral agents include; Invitro and invivo techniques. Invitro techniques include, plaque inhibition/reduction assay, virus yield reduction assay, inhibition of virus induced cytopathic effect, inhibition/reduction of synthesis of virus specific polypeptides, immunological assays for detecting viral antigens and viral enzyme inhibition assays, (Fernando et al., 2008). The invivo methods include the use of ferrets, laboratory mice, cotton rats and chicken for measuring a number of parameters indicating the extent of inhibition of infection (Sidewell, 2000).
The embryonated chicken egg system is a standard method for the propagation and isolation of egg adapted viruses. Antiviral agents have successfully been screened using embryonated chicken egg as media for both virus cultivation and inhibition assays, (Heartl et al., 2004).
Newcastle disease is one of the most significant diseases of importance in the poultry industry in Nigeria, with a morbidity of upto 100% and mortality ranging between 80 – 100% in severe cases, (Kouwenhoven, 1993). The survived cases of this disease fail to gain the presumed body weight in case of meat production and show drastic decrease in egg production during the course of the disease in case of laying birds. Onset of disease is usually sudden with flock showing somnolence, diarrhoea, respiratory distress, drop in egg production, severe prostration and neurological signs which manifest as paralysis of the legs, twitching of the muscles, torticollis and circling movement. Disease is highly contagious and persists in poultry flock. This has posed a major concern for the poultry industry in Nigeria which has necessitated a search for suitable antiviral agents for these diseases.