Coccidiosis is a significant parasitic disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus
Eimeria (
Abd El-Ghany, 2020), poses a considerable threat to the health and productivity of rabbits
(Bashar et al., 2024), leading to substantial economic losses in the livestock industry (
Abebe and Gugsa 2018). Among various species of
Eimeria exigua is particularly relevant in the context of rabbit husbandry, as it can cause severe intestinal damage (
Pilarczyk et al. 2020), resulting in clinical symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss and, in severe cases, mortality (
Bangoura and Daugschies, 2018). Traditional control measures primarily rely on synthetic anticoccidial drugs (
Chapman, 2018). However, the increasing incidence of drug resistance and the growing consumer demand for organic and natural animal products necessitate the exploration of alternative control strategies.
Genus
Rumex is found across the globe (
Vasas et al. 2015).
Rumex nervosus is a plant of the Polygonaceae family and contains more than 250 species, is often referred to as “Ithrib” on the Arabian Peninsula. The plants prevalent in Yemen, as well as in the Middle East and Africa and used as traditional herbal therapy. Historically, it has been used for treating many ailments and microbial infections (
Al-Nowihi et al., 2020;
Azzam et al., 2020;
Hussein et al., 2008;
Wachtel-Galor and Benzie, 2012).
R. nervosus is widely distributed throughout several habitats, including mountains, overgrazed areas, roadsides, sandy areas, high-altitude regions, locations with reasonably high rainfall and rocky areas (
Al-Aklabi et al., 2016;
Al Yahya et al., 2018).
In Yemen, investigation of biological activities, antioxidant properties and enzyme inhibitory effects of
R. nervosus leaves extract has been acquired a significant attention. Various studies have explored the potential health benefits of
R. nervosus through detection the chemical composition and impact on health.
Savran et al. (2016), highlighted the antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory and antimicrobial properties of edible
Rumex species, shedding light on the potential health benefits of these plants. Similarly, (
Khan et al., 2014) focused on the urease inhibitory potential of
R. nervosus, emphasizing the importance of different plant parts in exhibiting bioactive properties. Furthermore, (
Quradha et al., 2019) studied the antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer properties of
R. nervosus leaves, confirming that the plant multifaceted biological impacts. Furthermore, (
Desta et al., 2016) investigated the antioxidant activity of
R. nervosus leaves and stems, emphasizing the potential health benefits of plant. Furthermore,
Tedila and Assefa (2019) explored the antimicrobial activity of
R. nervosus against various pathogens, indicating its potential as a natural antimicrobial agent.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), herbal medicine is relied upon by 60% of the global population, with over 80% of people in poor nations depending heavily on it for their basic healthcare requirements (
Khan and Ahmad, 2019). The preventive anti-inflammatory effects of
R. nervosus, along with the effectiveness of high dosages of nanoparticles, provide a promising and cost-effective natural alternative for combating inflammation (
Ibrahim et al., 2024). The plant
R. nervosus has been extensively used in traditional medicine for the treatment of constipation, rheumatism, inflammation, scabies, gout, herpes and eczema (
Kahraman and Yanardag, 2012;
Tynybekov et al., 2013). The mentioned conditions include arthritis, diarrhea, jaundice, diuretic effects, laxative properties, wound healing, blisters and cancer (
Bharti et al., 2010;
Harshaw et al., 2010).
Recent studies have shown that extracts derived from several components of the
R. nervosus plant, namely the roots, had strong antibacterial properties against various harmful bacteria and fungi (
Al-Farhan et al., 2022;
Al Yahya et al., 2018;
Hussein et al., 2008). The antibacterial and fugal capabilities of
R. nervosus are ascribed to the existence of several phytochemicals and bioactive substances inside the plant (
Al-Garadi et al., 2022;
Al Yahya et al., 2018). Furthermore, (
Tawhid et al., 2023) provided evidence of the antidiarrheal effects of a methanolic extract derived from
R. nervosus, suggesting its potential for therapeutic use.
Due to the rising occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, there is a growing inclination to investigate natural sources such as medicinal plants for new antimicrobial substances (
Álvarez-Martínez et al., 2020;
Schneider, 2021). In addition,
Qaid et al. (2023) investigated the effects of supplementing broiler chickens with
R. nervosus with offering valuable information on the possible physiological effects of the plant extract. These studies emphasize the need to assess the biological activity, antioxidant capacity and enzyme-inhibitory effects of
R. nervosus. This contributes to expanding information on therapeutic qualities of this plant species.
This study aims to evaluate the biological properties, antioxidant potential and inhibitory effects on enzymes of root extracts derived from
R. nervosus plants cultivated in Yemen. The results of this inquiry may aid in the advancement of novel herbal-derived antibacterial and therapeutic merchandise.