Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences 2717-0071 27 4 2025 12 29 In ovo Antiviral Screening of Four Nigerian Medicinal Plants (Artemisia absinthium L., Annona senegalensis Pers., Erythrina senegalensis DC., and Jatropha curcas L.) Against Newcastle Disease Virus 175 185 10.34172/jsums.1050 EN Sylvester Nefai Mathias https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8009-7249 Emmanuel Halilu Mshelia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2769-9854 Chinenye Jane Ugwah-Oguejiofor https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3040-8758 Ibrahim Yusuf Alkali https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3522-6505 Aminu Ahmed Biambo https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5008-5602 Mansur Lawal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3502-6510 Aliyu Hamidu Ahmed https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4757-2228 Journal Article 10.34172/jsums.1050 2025 02 18 2025 07 15 Background and aims: Newcastle disease virus (NDV) poses a major threat to global poultry production, driving interest in novel plant-based antiviral agents. This study evaluated the in ovo antiviral potential of methanol extracts from Artemisia absinthium (AA), Annona senegalensis (AS), Erythrina senegalensis (ES), and Jatropha curcas (JC) against NDV. Methods: The extracts were screened for phytochemical content, elemental composition, and cytotoxicity in embryonated chicken eggs. Antiviral activity was assessed through embryo survival, hemagglutination assay, and statistical analysis. NDV infectivity was validated using the Reed-Muench method to determine the 50% egg infectious dose (EID₅₀). Results: All extracts contained flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, and glycosides. Elemental analysis revealed high levels of calcium, iron, potassium, and zinc. Cytotoxicity studies showed that all extracts were safe at concentrations up to 300 mg/mL. JC demonstrated the strongest antiviral effect, with 0% virus-induced mortality at 200–300 mg/mL (10⁻⁷–10⁻⁸ dilutions), followed by ES. AS represented limited activity, while AA was the least effective. Statistical analysis confirmed significant antiviral actions for JC (P<0.001) and ES (P<0.01), while AS was borderline (P=0.072), and AA was not significant. Finally, a significant overall treatment effect on cytotoxicity was observed as well (P<0.001). Conclusion: JC and ES exhibited promising antiviral activity against NDV in ovo, with JC being the most potent. However, its effectiveness was dose-dependent, and embryotoxicity occurred at higher levels. These findings support further investigation into their use as plant-based antiviral agents for poultry disease management.