• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.1011-1018
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• 2011

Aflatoxin-contaminated feed cause mortality, suppression of the immune system, reduced growth rates and losses in feed efficiency. This research study was planned to investigate the immunomodulatory and growth promoting effect of milk thistle as feed additive against aflatoxin $B_1$ in broiler chicks at NWFP Agricultural University Peshawar, Pakistan. Two hundred and forty (240) day old broilers chicks were randomly assigned into four major groups AfF, aflatoxin free feed; Aflatoxin $B_1$ was present in the feed at the levels of 80-520 ${\mu}g/kg$ of the feed in the remaining three groups. Aflatoxin contaminated feed was provided for 5 weeks. Group AfB was supplemented with toxin binder "Mycoad" at 3 g/kg of feed and group AfT was supplemented with milk thistle at10 g/kg of feed. Each group was further sub divided into two sub-groups, vaccinated against ND (Newcastle disease), IB (Infectious bronchitis) and IBD (Infectious bursal diseases) according to recommended schedule of vaccination or non vaccinated. Each sub group carried three replicates with 10 chicks per replicate. Chicks were reared in pens in an open sided house. Supplementary heat was provided to all the chicks during brooding period. Mean body weight gain and dressing percentage were significantly (p<0.05) higher in group AfF, followed by AfT, AfB and Af. Weight gain and dressing percentage was the same in group AfB and AfT, while it was significantly lower in group Af. Feed intake, breast, thigh and leg weight were found significantly (p<0.05) higher in group AfF, followed by AfB, AfT and Af. Significantly lower (better) FCR value was recorded in group AfT. Water intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher in group AfT and AfF as compared to other groups. Mortality was significantly (p<0.05) higher in group Af. Mean bursa and thymus weights were found significantly (p<0.05) higher in group AfF, AfB and AfT followed by Af, while higher spleen weight was recorded in group AfT. Mean antibody titer against ND, IB and IBD was significantly (p<0.05) higher in group AfT, as compared to other groups. It is concluded that milk thistle at 10 g/kg of feed could effectively be utilized as immunostimulant and growth promotant in the presence of immunosuppressant aflatoxin $B_1$ in the feed.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.726-737
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• 2023

Piperine, the main bioactive component of black pepper (Piper nigrum Linn.), has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. This study evaluated the supplemental effects of piperine or black pepper on innate immunity, growth, feed utilization efficiency, and intestinal morphology in red seabream (Pagrus major). Six experimental diets were formulated, supplementing piperine at 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg levels (Con, P25, P50, P100, and P200) or 1.0 g/kg black pepper (BP100). Juvenile fish (7.6 ± 0.1 g) were randomly stocked into 18 circular tanks (220 L), including 30 fish per tank. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups, and the feeding trial was conducted for 8 weeks. The results showed that final body weight, specific growth rate, weight gain, and feed utilization efficiency were significantly improved (p < 0.05) when piperine was supplemented into diets at 0.25-2.0 g/kg levels compared to the Con group. Compared to the Con diet, condition factor was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in fish fed with dietary piperine at 0.25-2.0 g/kg or BP100 diet. Serum myeloperoxidase activity was increased (p < 0.05) in P25 and P100 groups and antiprotease activity was increased (p < 0.05) in P100 group compared to the Con group. Significantly higher (p < 0.05) lysozyme activity was observed in P50, P100, P200 and BP100 groups, while total immunoglobulin level was increased in P50, P100 and BP100 groups than Con group. Superoxide dismutase activity was increased (p < 0.05) by dietary piperine at 0.25-2.0 g/kg levels and BP100 diet compared to Con diet. Plasma cholesterol was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in fish fed with piperine (0.5-2.0 g/kg) or BP100 compared to the Con diet. Compared to the Con diet significantly longer (p < 0.05) intestinal villi were observed in fish fed with piperine at 0.25-1.0 g/kg levels, and higher goblet cell count was observed in P25 and BP100 groups. Dietary inclusion of piperine would be a potent immunostimulant in fish diet and the optimum supplementation level would be 0.25-1.0 g/kg.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.466-473
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• 2015

The juvenile red variant of the sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus is distributed worldwide. It is a valuable food source in Korea, China, and Japan. Major issues in farming the juvenile red variant sea cucumber include growth rates and disease resistance. In recent years, studies have focused on feed additives to enhance immune system and health. In this study, we used a common diet (CD), a nutritional diet (ND; mixed nutritional supplements), and an immunity diet (ID; mixed probiotics, spirulina, and levan) and compared the growth rates and immunity of juvenile red variant sea cucumbers fed the experimental diets for 12 weeks. The growth and survival rates in the ID group were significantly increased (P>0.05). This suggests that the feed additives positively influenced immunity and growth in the ID group. However, the immune activity was exhibit a stabilizing effect, and further investigation of immune effects is required.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.437-440
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• 2017

A five-month-old, male Domestic Korean shorthair was referred to our hospital with a history of lethargy, anorexia, and globoid cardiac silhouette on thoracic radiography. Physical examination showed dehydration and anemia was revealed on blood analysis. On thoracic radiography and echocardiography, the patient showed pericardial effusion and ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis was performed. A Rivalta test of the pericardial effusion showed a positive result. As the patient had recurrent pericardial effusion, pericardiectomy was performed. He was tentatively diagnosed with wet form feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and treated with Polyprenyl immunostimulant (PI). Neurological signs were eventually seen and he was euthanized. Histopathologic changes with markedly expanded neutrophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages with fibrous connective tissue and collagenous fibers were detected. Immunohistochemistry for FIP antigen was performed and results showed FIPV-positive multifocal aggregates of cells. Pericardial effusion is an atypical condition in cats with FIP, but can be presented. This case report describes FIP with pericardial effusion in a cat, in which definitive diagnosis of FIP was done using biopsy via pericardiectomy.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.1477-1482
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• 2001

Research in low cost feeds with high nutritional value and immunogenicity is important to reduce production cost and increase yields in the shrimp industry. In this study, immunostimulants of bacterial origin (peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharides) and egg white were incorporated in shrimp diets as feed additives to determine the growth, survival and tolerance of Penaeus monodon to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Although the results obtained were not statistically significant (p>0.05) among the treatments, shrimp fed with bacterial additives and egg white showed higher weight gain, specific growth rate and survival than those fed on commercial shrimp diet. Shrimp fed with artificial diet showed 100% mortality when challenged with WSSV. However, shrimp fed on peptidoglycan supplemented diet had higher survival than their counterpart, whereas shrimp fed on egg white supplemented diet had a higher specific growth rate and better tolerance when challenged with WSSV. Further studies are required to determine the effectiveness and optimization of bacterial strains and egg white as feed additives to increase production and enhance the shrimp immune response to diseases.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.36 no.4 s.143
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• pp.332-337
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• 2005

We here demonstrate the evidence of increased anti-tumor and immunostimulating activities of crude extracts (GAL) from Galium. aparine L. In experimental lung metastasis of colon26-M3.1 carcinoma or B16-BL6 melanoma cells, prophylactically intravenous (i.v) administration of GAL significantly inhibited lung metastasis in a dose-dependant manner. In an in vitro cytotoxicity analysis, GAL at the concentration up to $500\;{\mu}g/ml$ did not affect the growth of B16-BL6 melanoma cells. In contrast, GAL showed the enhancement of splenocyte proliferating activity in a dose-dependent manner. Peritoneal macrophages stimulated with GAL produced various cytokines such as $1L-1{\beta},\;TNF-{\alpha},\;IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-12. These data suggest that GAL has an antitumor activity to inhibit tumor metastasis, and its antitumor effects is associated with activation of nonspecific immnune related cells.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2018

Silymarin is a flavonoid complex extracted from the Silybum marianum plant with a wide range of pharmacological and biochemical effects. In the present study, the immunomodulatory effects of silymarin were investigated in BALB/c mice. Silymarin was administered daily by intraperitoneal injection at doses of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days. Following the exposure, host hematological parameters, spleen cellularity and histopathological examination, as well as delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses, hemagglutination titers (HA), splenocyte cytokine production and lymphocyte proliferation assay were studied in all of the test groups of animals. The results showed that the low dose of silymarin (50 mg/kg) could stimulate both cellular and humoral immune functions in the treated hosts. In addition, silymarin at 100 mg/kg appeared to impact on DTH responses and lymphoproliferation. Based on the finding here, it would seem that silymarin has efficient immunostimulant properties. As a recommendation, the application of silymarin along with acupuncture technique (herbal acupuncture) can be thought as a good plan to modulate and enhance the immune system for the management of several immunodeficiency disorders. However, further studies are required to demonstrate this hypothesis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.127-136
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• 2007

Ginseng, the root of Panax species, is a well-known herbal medicine. It has been used as traditional medicine in Korea, China and Japan for thousands of years and now is a popular and worldwide natural medicine. The active principles of ginseng are ginsenosides which are also called ginseng saponins. Traditionally ginseng has been used primarily as a tonic to invigorate weak body functions and help the restoration of homeostasis. Current in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate its beneficial effects in a wide range of pathological conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, immune deficiency and hepatotoxicity. Moreover, recent research indicates that some of ginseng's active ingredients exert beneficial actions on aging and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson´s disease. Essentially, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anti-apoptotic and immunostimulant activities are mostly underlying the postulated ginseng-mediated protective mechanisms. Next to animal studies, data from neural cell cultures contribute to the understanding of these mechanisms which involve decreasing nitric oxide, scavenging of free radicals and counteracting excitotoxicity. This paper focuses on own and other neuroprotective data on ginseng for dopaminergic neurons and intends to show aspects where neuroprotection e.g. by ginsenosides, additionally or preceding standard Parkinson therapy, could come about as a valuable contribution to slow neurodegenerative processes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.133-137
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• 2009

The root of Astragalus membranaceus is a traditional folk medicine that has been used for many therapeutic purposes in Asia. It reportedly acts as an immunostimulant, tonic, hepatoprotective, diuretic, antidiabetic, analgesic, expectorant, sedative, and anticancer drug. In this study, metabolomic profiling was applied to the roots of A. membranaceus of different ages using NMR coupled with two multivariate statistical analysis methods: such as principal components analysis (PCA) and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA). This allowed various metabolites to be assigned in NMR spectra, including $\gamma$-aminobutyric acid (GABA), aspartic acid, succinic acid, glutamic acid, glutamine, N-acetyl aspartic acid, acetic acid, arginine, alanine, threonine, lactic acid, and valine. The score plot from PCA and also CDA allowed a clear separation between samples according to age.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.711-721
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• 2022

The immune system is one of the most important parts of the human body and immunomodulation is the major function of the immune system. In response to outside pathogens or high inflammation, the immune system is stimulated or suppressed. Thus, identifying effective and potent immunostimulants or immunosuppressants is critical. Ginsenosides are a type of steroid saponin derived from ginseng. Most are harmless to the body and even have tonic effects. In this review, we mainly focus on the immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive roles of two types ginsenosides: the protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type and protopanaxatriol (PPT)-type. PPT-type ginsenosides include Rg1, Rg2, Rh4, Re and notoginsenoside R1, and PPD-type ginsenosides include Rg3, Rh2, Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, compound K (CK) and PPD, which activate the immune responses. In addition, Rg1 and Rg6 belong to PPT-type ginsenosides and together with Rg3, Rb1, Rd, CK show immunosuppressive properties. Current explorations of ginsenosides in immunological areas are in the preliminary stages. Therefore, this review may provide some novel ideas to researchers who study the immunoregulatory roles of ginsenosides.