Effects of Medicinal Plants and Organic Selenium against Ovine Haemonchosis

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of traditional medicinal plants typical to Central Europe as well as organic selenium on increasing the resistance of lambs to gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection with Haemonchus contortus. 21 female lambs were infected with third-stage larvae of H. contortus on the day (D) 0 and re-infected on D49 and D77. The animals were divided into three groups based on a treatment diet: a basal diet (control), a diet enriched with dry plants (Herbmix), and a diet enriched with selenized yeast (Selplex). The number of eggs per gram (EPG) of feces was quantified on D21, D28, D35, D42, D49, D56, D63, D70, D77, D84, D91, D98, D105, D112, and D119. The mean reductions in EPG on D28 were 43.4 and 28.6% for Selplex and Herbmix, respectively. The reduction in egg output was nearly uniform throughout the experiment for Selplex. However, for Herbmix the mean reduction was only 19.8% up to D91 and 46.1% after D91. Glutathione peroxidase activity in the blood from D35 to D98 was two to three-fold higher for Selplex than the other groups. Both supplements slowed the dynamics of GIN infection and gradually increased the resistance of lambs against ovine haemonchosis.

Impact of Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) Pellets on Parasitological Status, Antibody Responses, and Antioxidant Parameters in Lambs Infected with Haemonchus contortus

“…SFPs decreased blood GPx activity from D23 indicating that lower antioxidant activity is needed for lambs treated with SFPs to maintain the same oxidative status. These findings are consistent with our prior results using medicinal plants with a wide range of bioactive compounds [ 22 , 23 , 24 ] that possess the antioxidant potential and are supplements for diseases associated with oxidative stress [ 45 ]. The antioxidant status of lambs probably closely depends on the efficiency of absorption, concentration, and metabolic transformation of phytochemicals and the environment [ 46 ].…”

“…Lower growth rates are generally considered to be an indicator of parasitism in lambs infected with GINs, but plant polyphenols, especially flavonoids, can improve the growth of animals and the quality of animal products [ 20 ]. We previously reported that dried plant nutraceuticals containing different amounts of flavonoids and phenolics may [ 21 ] or may not [ 22 , 23 , 24 ] influence the growth parameters of infected lambs. The SFPs in the present experiment contained 4.62 mg QE/g DM flavonoids.…”

“…The anthelmintic activity of CTs against GINs may be increased by the addition of flavonoids [ 35 ], and sainfoin itself contains beneficial flavonoids that interfere with the biology of H. contortus [ 36 ], consistent with our results. The use of dry medicinal plants with high contents of flavonoids against H. contortus in vivo can have an indirect anthelmintic effect that can contribute to an increase in the resistance of lambs to nematode infection [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. The anthelmintic effects of the plant extract in vitro and the sensitivity of the methodological procedures used should be taken into account for the overall evaluation of plants with bioactive components [ 37 , 38 ].…”

“…The antioxidant status of lambs probably closely depends on the efficiency of absorption, concentration, and metabolic transformation of phytochemicals and the environment [ 46 ]. Some medicinal plants are often characterized as poisonous and medicinal, but each of the medicinal plants, both as mixtures and SFPs, have been tested by in vitro rumen fermentation without adverse effects on the rumen microbiome [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Another benefit of medical treatment is the use of plants as substitutes for synthetic drugs to which parasites have developed resistance in the past.…”

Does in vitro and in vivo exposure to medicinal herbs cause structural cuticular changes in Haemonchus contortus?

“…In vivo analysis Adult parasites were obtained from lambs in a complex study evaluating the antiparasitic effect of Herbmix; the complete methodology of this in vivo experiment was previously described (Komáromyová et al, 2021). Lambs of the Improved Valachian breed with the same age and similar body weight were supplemented with the "Herbmix" mixture of dry medicinal plants (100 g dry matter/d/ animal) and an unsupplemented group was used as a control.…”