Uncaria tomentosa increases growth and immune activity in Oreochromis niloticus challenged with Streptococcus agalactiae

Jefferson Yunis-Aguinaga, Gustavo S. Claudiano, Paulo F. Marcusso, Wilson Gómez Manrique, Julieta R.Engrácia de Moraes, Flávio R. de Moraes, João B.K. Fernandes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is an Amazon herb using in native cultures in Peru. In mammals, it has been described several effects of this herb. However, this is the first report of its use on the diet of fish. The aim of this study was to determinate the effect of this plant on the growth and immune activity in Oreochromis niloticus. Nile tilapia (81.3 ± 4.5 g) were distributed into 5 groups and supplemented with 0 (non-supplement fish), 75, 150, 300, and 450 mg of U. tomentosa.kg-1 of diet for a period of 28 days. Fish were inoculated in the swim bladder with inactivated Streptococcus agalactiae and samples were taken at 6, 24, and 48 h post inoculation (HPI). Dose dependent increases were noted in some of the evaluated times of thrombocytes and white blood cells counts (WBC) in blood and exudate, burst respiratory activity, lysozyme activity, melanomacrophage centers count (MMCs), villi length, IgM by immunohistochemistry in splenic tissue, and unexpectedly on growth parameters. However, dietary supplementation of this herb did not affect red blood cells count (RBC), hemoglobin, and there were no observed histological lesions in gills, intestine, spleen, and liver. The current results demonstrate for the first time that U. tomentosa can stimulate fish immunity and improve growth performance in Nile tilapia.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)630-638
Number of pages9
JournalFish and Shellfish Immunology
Volume47
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Nov 2015

Keywords

  • Amazon herb
  • Cat's claw
  • Hematology
  • Phytotherapy

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