IntroductionThe aims of this study were to determine the immune response and the anticoccidial activity induced byMoringa oleiferaandVernonia amygdalinaleaves in rabbits infected withEimeria magnaandEimeria media.MethodsThirty-five-day-old rabbits, free from coccidia, were infested with 2.103oocysts ofEimeria magnaandEimeria media, then received the acetone extract of the leaves ofMoringa oleiferaandVernonia amygdalinaat different doses by oral gavage.Results and discussionThe inhibition of the excretion of oocysts was evaluated by the McMaster technique and the levels of cytokines (IL-4 and IL-12) and immunoglobulin IgG were assayed by the ELISA method. Thein vivoefficacy onE. magnaandE. mediaoocysts was 95.43% and 96.53% forMoringa oleiferaandVernonia amygdalinaat 1000 mg/kg bw against 98% for the positive control. Interestingly the plant extracts increased the production of interleukin (IL) and immunoglobulins (Ig) compared to controls. Plasma IL-4 levels (pg/ml) in rabbits were 128.94 and 131.38; those of IL-12 (pg/ml) were 395.55 and 426.56, and then for those of IgG (μg/ml) were 14.70 and 13.94 respectively with the acetone extracts ofMoringa oleiferaandVernonia amygdalinaon D14 PT at 1000 mg/kg bw. This study indicates thatMoringa oleiferaandVernonia amygdalinacan be used as an alternative to synthetic anticoccidials. These plants could be used to increase the resistance of the immune system of rabbits to infestations of Eimeria species in rabbit farms.