Comparative effectiveness of Sumaq and Neem extract cream, Eniloconazole and glycerine iodine on dermatophytosis in Arabian horses: a randomized clinical trial.

This study compared the effectiveness of Sumaq and Neem extract cream to traditional treatments, eniloconazole and glycerine iodine, in treating a contagious fungal disease found in Arabian horses.

Objective of the Research

• The purpose of this research is to find an effective treatment for dermatophytosis, a contagious fungal disease common in animal communities, specifically, Arabian horses. High treatment costs, control difficulties, and public health consequences are some of the reasons finding a cure is essential.

Methodology

• 37 Arabian horses suffering from dermatophytosis were chosen for the experiment. Standard microbiological procedures were utilized to isolate and identify the fungus on each horse. The choice of Sumaq (Rhus coriaria Linn.) and Neem (Azadirachta indica) seed extracts as potential treatments was based on their in vitro effectiveness against the disease.
• The horses were divided into four treatment groups. The Glycerine iodine group had 8 horses receiving 10% glycerine iodine every day for a week. The second group of 10 horses was given a 10% emulsified concentrate of eniloconazole with a 2-day interval between the four treatments. The third group was assigned 11 horses that received a 20% cream of Neem seed extract every day for ten days, and the final group of 8 horses had a daily Sumaq extract treatment (5% cream) for the same period of ten days.
• Clinical and mycological evaluations were conducted at various points (0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days) post-treatment.

Findings

• Sumaq and eniloconazole were the most effective treatment after seven days, as assessed by the clinical index score, with Neem seed 20% cream close behind.
• Complete healing was observed 28 days post-treatment in the patients treated with Sumaq 5% cream and eniloconazole (median clinical sum score = zero), followed by those who received treatment from Neem (median clinical sum score = 1.5).
• At the end of the treatment period, Dermatophytes spp. (the causative fungus) could only be isolated from two horses – one from the Neem group and another from the glycerine iodine group.

Conclusion

• The results suggest Sumaq 5% and Neem seed extract as alternative effective treatments for dermatophytosis in Arabian horses.