The effects of dietary garlic (Allium sativum) and Aloe vera crude extract mixtures supplementation on growth performance, feed utilization, hematological parameters, whole body composition, and survival at low pH in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) juveniles

The effect of dietary administration of Saussurea lappa root on performance, blood biochemical indices, redox status, innate immune response, intestinal microbial population and resistance against A. hydrophila infections of Tilapia Fingerlings

This experiment was performed to identify the influence of dietary Saussurea lappa root (SLR) on the performance and general health status of Nile Tilapia fingerlings (O. niloticus). Four formulated diets with different SLR levels of 0.0, 2.5, 5 and 10 g/kg, respectively, were afforded to fingerling fish (15.42 ± 0.05 g) for 8 weeks. The feed efficiency ratio (FER), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio varied with dietary SLR level in a linear model and a high feed efficiency rate was recorded at the 10 g/kg group, while FI and FCR exhibited an opposite trend (P < 0.001). Dietary SLR level influenced serum protein constituents, liver and renal function enzymes, triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose (P < 0.001). Serum Catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) remarkedly increased with dietary SLR level and attained a level at 10 g/kg. Furthermore, serum lysozyme, complement C3 (C3), IgA and IgD were stimulated by 10 g/kg SLR. Intestinal digestive enzymes (lipase and amylase) increased with SLR level up to 10 g/kg. As the dietary SLR level raised, the cumulative survival percentage aginst A. hydrophila challenge increased and then reached a maximum at 10 g/kg SLR group. Moreover, gene expression of pro-inflammation cytokines (TNF-2a, IL-1β, and IL-10) in liver and kidney transcriptomes demonstrated effective immunostimulant capabilities of greater SLR inclusion levels in fish diet. Meanwhile, intestinal microbial investigation, revealed that high levels of SLR in tilapia fish feed significantly suppressed total bacterial count, and pathogenic bacterial count (such as, E. coli, Coliform, Aeromonas spp, Pseudomonas spp.), and stimulated lactic acid bacteria development. Finally, it is recommended to include a high level of SLR (5 or 10 g/kg) in the diet of O. niloticus fingerlings to enhance feed efficiency, antioxidant characteristics, and immunological response against bacterial infections.

Dietary effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Allium sativum on growth, antioxidant status, hepatic and intestinal histoarchitecture, expression of growth- and immune-related genes, and resistance of Oreochromis niloticus to Aeromonas sobria

This study investigated the benefits of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and/or garlic, Allium sativum supplementation in diets of Nile tilapia with regard to growth, antioxidant status, hepatic and intestinal histoarchitecture, expression of growth- and immune-related genes, and resistance to Aeromonas sobria infection. Fish (with an initial weight of 9.43 ± 0.08 g) were allocated to twelve hapas, organized into four triplicate treatment groups defined as control (no supplementation), yeast (4 g/kg diet), garlic (30 g/kg diet), and a mixture of both. This trial continued over a 60-day feeding period. Results revealed that combined treatment (yeast + garlic) demonstrated the most promising outcomes regarding growth, with significantly higher final body weights, weight gains, and specific growth rates compared to other groups. Moreover, this combination enhanced hepatic antioxidant status, as evidenced by elevated levels of reduced glutathione and activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes, reflecting improved defense against oxidative stress. Histological assessments of the livers and intestines demonstrated structural enhancements in yeast and garlic treatments, suggesting improvements in organ health. In comparison to the control, the gene expression analyses unveiled increased expression of growth-related (igf-1 and ghr1) and immune-related (il-10, lyz, and hep) genes in the test groups, indicating a possible reinforcement of the growth and immune responses. The combined treatment also showed the highest resistance to A. sobria infection, as evidenced by improved survival rates and lower mortality compared with the other groups. These findings highlight the benefits of a combination of both yeast and garlic as a dietary supplementation regimen. In conclusion, this study suggests that the combined treatment regimen could be considered an effective strategy to promote the health and productivity of Nile tilapia under production conditions.

The protective effects of quercetin on the physiological responses in malathion-exposed common carp, Cyprinus carpio

This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of quercetin on the biochemical parameters, immunity, and growth performance in malathion-exposed common carp, Cyprinus carpio. The methods six experimental groups, including the control group, fish exposed to concentrations of 1.04 and 2.08 mg/l malathion, fish supplemented with quercetin (200 mg/kg diet), and fish treated with quercetin + malathion for 21 days, were considered for the experiment. After the feeding period, in results the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were significantly decreased in the hepatocyte, while malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased in response to malathion. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities and glucose, cortisol, and urea levels significantly increased after exposure to malathion. Exposure of fish to malathion-induced decreases in protease, lysozyme, and alternative complement (ACH50) activities and total immunoglobulin (total Ig) in the mucosa. Changes in other parameters were different depending on malathion concentrations. The supplementation of fish with quercetin had no ameliorating effect on the malathion-related alternations of mucosal lysozyme and protease activities. However, quercetin ameliorated the depressing effects of malathion on biochemical and immunological parameters. Changes in the growth performance and hematological parameters indicated the toxic effect of malathion. In conclusion, quercetin could efficiently reduce the toxic effects of malathion on the biochemical, immune, and hematological parameters of the common carp.

Effect of garlic extract on weight loss and gut microbiota composition in obese women: A double-blind randomized controlled trial

Objective

From a nutritional perspective, garlic extract could be a prebiotic product, which is useful for obese subjects, and one of its health-promoting underlying mechanisms is modulating gut microbiota composition. In this randomized double-blind clinical trial, the goal was to determine the effect of Allium (garlic extract) on anthropometric indices and gut microbiota composition in obese women following a low-calorie diet.

Materials and methods

Forty-three obese women were randomly divided into garlic extract (400 mg Allium sativum powder containing 1,100 mcg allicin/tablet) or placebo groups. During the 2 months of the study, each participant took two tablets per day. At the beginning and at the end of the clinical trial, anthropometric measurements were done and blood and fecal samples were collected. We evaluated the gut microbiota composition using quantitative real-time PCR.

Results

In total, 16 subjects in each group completed the 2-month trial. Allium and placebo groups’ participants had mean ages of 37.8 ± 7.4 and 34.2 ± 6.8 years, respectively (P > 0.05). Baseline body mass index (BMI) was significantly different between groups, subjects in the placebo group had lower BMI compared with the Allium group (P < 0.05). Allium and placebo caused a 1.7% and 2.7% decrease in BMI from the baseline values, respectively (P < 0.01). Fasting insulin level significantly decreased in the both groups (P < 0.01). Level of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) has decreased significantly in the Allium group (P = 0.007). The frequency of Akkermansia had decreasing trend while the abundance of Faecalibacterium and Bifidobacterium showed increasing trend in the Allium group.

Conclusion

In the both groups, a decrease in BMI and other anthropometric indices has been observed. Despite weight loss after following a low-calorie diet and taking Allium, slight changes have been shown in the composition of gut microbiota in obese women.

Trial registration

This trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) (code: IRCT090420001825N2).