Comparative efficacy of neem (Azadirachta indica) and papaya (Carica papaya) seeds on digestive health of grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus): insights into their nutritional potential.

In the rural and semi-urban landscapes of Benin, a quiet revolution in agriculture is taking place, centered on the grasscutter. This large rodent, known scientifically as Thryonomys swinderianus, is more than just a wild animal; it is a vital source of protein and income for many families. Raising these animals in captivity offers a path to food security and economic stability, but like all livestock, grasscutters face a persistent health threat: parasites living inside their digestive systems. These microscopic invaders, including worms and single-celled organisms, can steal nutrients, cause illness, and stunt growth, turning a potentially profitable farm into a struggling one. While modern medicine offers synthetic drugs to fight these infections, they are often expensive or difficult to obtain in remote areas. This reality has led farmers to turn to the land around them, relying on traditional knowledge to find cures in the plants that grow nearby. Among the most common remedies are the seeds of the neem tree and the papaya tree, both of which have long been used in folk medicine to treat internal ailments. The question facing scientists and farmers alike is whether these traditional practices are merely hopeful guesses or if they hold genuine, measurable power to protect the animals.

A team of researchers from the National University of Agriculture in Benin set out to answer this question by looking closely at how grasscutter farmers in the Plateau Department manage their herds. They began by visiting one hundred farms to understand what was happening in the real world. The survey revealed a heavy reliance on nature; nearly all the farmers they spoke to used medicinal plants to treat digestive issues. Specifically, they found that about half of the farmers used papaya seeds, while a slightly smaller group used neem seeds. Most of these farmers crushed the dried seeds into a fine powder and mixed it into the animals' feed, often guessing at the right amount to use. The researchers also took fecal samples from the animals to see exactly what kind of parasites were present. The results were stark: the animals were heavily infested. The most common invaders were coccidia, a type of single-celled parasite, followed by various types of worms. In farms where no treatment was given at all, the number of parasite eggs found in the waste was extremely high, indicating a serious burden on the animals' health.

To move beyond observation and find out which treatment actually worked better, the scientists conducted a controlled experiment at their university laboratory. They gathered fifty healthy grasscutters and divided them into five groups. One group received no treatment at all, serving as a baseline to show what happens without help. The other four groups received specific doses of either neem seed powder or papaya seed powder. The researchers tested two different amounts for each plant: a lower dose of 150 milligrams per kilogram of the animal's body weight, and a higher dose of 200 milligrams per kilogram. They fed these mixtures to the animals over a period of twenty-five days, carefully monitoring how the parasite levels changed. The scientists looked for parasite eggs and oocysts in the animals' droppings, counting them to see if the treatments were reducing the number of parasites being shed.

The results of the experiment showed that both plants had a positive effect. When the animals received either neem or papaya seeds, the number of parasite eggs in their waste dropped significantly compared to the untreated group. This suggests that the traditional practice of using these seeds may help reduce the parasite load. However, when the researchers compared the two plants against each other, a difference emerged in the descriptive data. The grasscutters treated with neem seeds generally showed lower counts of parasite eggs than those treated with papaya seeds. This trend was most noticeable when the animals received the higher dose of 200 milligrams per kilogram. For example, when looking at a specific type of worm called Strongyloides, the reduction in parasite numbers appeared more pronounced with the neem treatment than with the papaya treatment. The data suggested that neem might be the more potent option of the two, particularly at the higher dosage.

Despite these promising findings, the researchers were careful not to declare a final winner or a perfect solution. They noted that while the numbers looked better for neem, the study provided descriptive results that should not be interpreted as definitive evidence of statistical superiority. The experiment showed a clear trend, but more detailed studies with appropriate statistical analyses would be needed to confirm these results with absolute certainty and to determine the exact best dose for every farm. Furthermore, the study highlighted that these seeds are not just medicine; they are also food. Both neem and papaya seeds contain proteins, fats, and enzymes that could potentially improve the animals' nutrition and digestion. The researchers observed that the animals ate the feed containing the seed powders without refusing it, suggesting the treatments were safe and palatable, though the nutritional benefits remain potential rather than demonstrated findings.

The study concludes that neem and papaya seeds are valuable resources for grasscutter farmers in Benin. They offer a locally available, traditional way to fight the parasites that threaten animal health and farm profits. While the evidence suggests that neem seeds might be slightly more effective at reducing parasites, especially at higher doses, both plants represent a sustainable alternative to expensive commercial drugs. The path forward involves refining how these seeds are used, ensuring the right amounts are given, and exploring how their nutritional benefits can be fully harnessed to keep the animals healthy and growing. For the farmers who have relied on these plants for generations, this research validates their knowledge while providing a scientific foundation to improve their practices and secure the future of their livelihoods.