Avaliação da resposta clínica em cães com cinomose tratados com a droga vegetal da Morinda citrifolia (noni)

Abstract

Canine distemper virus affects dogs of all ages, breeds and sexes, but has a greater predilection for puppies and unvaccinated animals. There is no specific antiviral treatment for distemper, being made only supportive treatment. Currently phytotherapeutic agents have been used for the treatment of several diseases. Noni is a South Asian plant that has many therapeutic properties, among them an immunomodulatory effect; and one of its biological principles, damnacantal, is an anthraquinone which can induce the death of virus-infected cells. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical response of dogs with canine distemper treated with Morinda citrifolia (noni) drug plant in Sao Luis - MA. Sixteen dogs were used in the experiment and all of them were submitted to a rapid screening test to detect specific IgG antigens for CDV in serum. Positive animals underwent laboratory tests such as complete blood count, biochemical and molecular analysis. They were divided into two groups: (G1) - dogs undergoing conventional treatment with antibiotics and vitamin B and (G2) - dogs treated with M. citrifolia crude extract. Clinical evaluation showed that at 21 days after the conventional treatment, only one animal had 100% remission of clinical signs. At the same time, among the dogs undergoing treatment with noni, two animals had 100% regression of clinical signs. The noni drug plant was effective in remission of neurological signs in dogs with canine distemper virus.