Anti-Inflammatory, Immunomodulatory, and Antioxidant Activities of Allicin, Norfloxacin, or Their Combination againstPasteurella multocidaInfection in Male New Zealand Rabbits

Abstract

The present study investigated the efficacy of allicin as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunostimulant agent in reducing the severity of Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) type B infection in rabbits. Fifty New Zealand rabbits, 5 weeks old, were divided equally into five groups. Except for group 1, all groups were intranasally infected with P. multocida type B (2 × 105 colony forming units/ml/rabbit). Then, group 3 rabbits were orally treated with allicin (50 mg/kg BW) for 5 days, group 4 rabbits received a single oral dose of norfloxacin 30% (100 mg/kg BW), while group 5 rabbits were treated with a combination of norfloxacin and allicin. Hematological, serum biochemical, inflammatory cytokine, immunological, and histopathological analyses were performed. Results revealed that rabbits, infected with P. multocida type B, exhibited macrocytic hypochromic anemia and leukocytosis with a significant elevation in the phagocytic percentage and index. Moreover, significant reductions in serum total protein, albumin, globulin, and immunoglobulin (IgG and IgM) levels were observed in infected rabbits. Infected rabbits showed significant increases in serum inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α and IL-6), alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, and serum bilirubin (total, direct, and indirect) levels. Further, P. multocida infection induced oxidative stress as demonstrated by the significant reduction in serum levels of reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase enzyme and marked elevation in serum malondialdehyde. Treatment with allicin, norfloxacin, or their combination significantly ameliorated the alterations in all studied parameters. In conclusion, allicin could ameliorate the inflammation and oxidative stress, induced by P. multocida type B infection in rabbits.

Influence of allicin administration on reproductive efficiency, immunity and lipid peroxidation of rabbit does under high ambient temperature

“…In addition, aqueous garlic extract improved hepatic steatosis in rabbits (Arhan et al, ) and this effect was attributed to the organo‐sulphur compounds (allicin) present in garlic. Allicin may lead to cell membrane stabilization and protection of the liver against harmful agents and free radical‐mediated toxic damages to the hepatocytes through reduce the activity of enzymes (Alam et al, ).…”

“…In accordance with the present results, allicin as a vital compound in garlic exerted positive impact on immunity of young animals (Wang et al, ), broiler chicken (El‐Katcha et al, ) and infected animals through increasing of immunoglobulins levels (Kamel & El‐Shinnawy, ). In rabbits, allicin treatment increased serum IgG and IgM levels in blood (Alam et al, ). In supporting this finding, garlic as an herbal plant and natural antioxidant was reported to be rich in flavonoids, which improve immune functions (Acamovic & Brooker, ) and stimulate humoral immune response.…”

“…Allicin may lead to cell membrane stabilization and protection of the liver against harmful agents and free radical-mediated toxic damages to the hepatocytes through reduce the activity of enzymes (Alam et al, 2018).…”

“…The hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of allicin were proved in broilers (Singh et al, ) and pigs (Omojola, Fagbuaro, & Ayeni, ), while impact of allicin on reducing enzyme activity of kidney and liver and improving immune response was reported in broiler chicken (El‐Katcha et al, ). Recently, allicin, as a strong natural antioxidant, is used to increase the endogenous antioxidant enzymes activity and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress of male rabbits (Alam et al, ). Also, allicin can prevent apoptosis of rats by activating extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (Abdel‐Daim, Kilany, Khalifa, & Ahmed, ).…”

“…Recently, allicin, as a strong natural antioxidant, is used to increase the endogenous antioxidant enzymes activity and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress of male rabbits (Alam et al, 2018). Also, allicin can prevent apoptosis of rats by activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Abdel-Daim, Kilany, Khalifa, & Ahmed, 2017).…”