Garlic (Allium Sativum) Supplementation Improves Respiratory Health but Has Increased Risk of Lower Hematologic Values in Horses

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe hypotheses of this study were that garlic supplementation may help to clear mucus in the airways, but also causes declining hematologic values in prolonged feeding. The results show that long-term supplementation of dried garlic on the level of 32 mg/kg BW improved respiratory health in terms of reduced amount of tracheal symptoms and accumulation of tracheal exudates. However, the garlic supplemented horses showed slightly declining hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HcT) and red blood cells (RBC) values.AbstractGarlic (Allium sativum) is claimed to have numerous beneficial properties to the health of humans and animals. It is commonly used for example to treat respiratory diseases and infections in horses’ lungs. However, in addition to its possible positive influences, garlic may also have adverse health effects. The hypotheses of this study were that garlic supplementation may help to clear mucus in the airways, but also causes declining hematologic values in prolonged feeding. To our knowledge, this is the first organized study in controlled conditions to show the health effects of garlic supplementation for horses so far. The results show that long-term supplementation of dried garlic on the level of 32 mg/kg BW seemed to reduce the amount of tracheal symptoms and accumulation of tracheal exudates. Additionally, the number of neutrophil cells in the tracheal mucus was numerically smaller in the garlic supplemented horses. However, the garlic supplemented horses showed slightly declining Hb, HcT and RBC values during an 83-day study period. Consequently, it is possible that even low garlic supplementation levels can be detrimental to the horse’s hematology when the supplementation period is long.

Parámetros hematológicos en caballos peruanos de paso en la provincia de Lambayeque

“…Posiblemente los contrastes antes mencionados, se deba a diferencias en protocolos de sanidad, exposición a enfermedades, altitud de la región y alimentación. Siendo este último, probablemente el causante de cambios hematológicos en equinos (19).…”

Repurposing of the Herbals as Immune-Boosters in the Prevention and Management of COVID-19: A Review

“…Multiple studies have documented its biological effects: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antibiotic, bacteriostatic, a n t i f u n ga l , a nt i -v i ra l , a n t i h e l m i n t h i c , antithrombic, hypotensive, hypoglycemic, and hypercholesterolemic, as well as anti-influenza B, herpes simplex, and coxsackievirus anti-viral activity [69][70] . Some studies reported that Garlic molecules could modulate cytokine expression in lipopolysaccharide-activated human blood and inhibit NF-êB from which show its immunemodulatory effect is evident 71 .…”

“…It is also involved in activating macrophages, promoting immunoglobulins 71 , and reducing polymorphonuclear cells' migration through endothelial cell layers 72 . Some studies have observed that it involved inhibiting the fabrication of NO and prostaglandin-E2, suppresses inducible form of NO synthase and COX-2 expression, decreases the production of inflammatory cytokines like TNF-a, interleukin 6, and interferon ã [70][71][72] . Some other finding has supported that involved to improve lung function in smokers, 73 and reduce tracheal exudates in horses 73 .…”

Herbal Immunomodulators and Possibilities for Use on Animal Health

“…Son yıllarda, sarımsakta bazı immunmodülatör etkili proteinlerin varlığı saptanmış olmasına rağmen, bunların özellikleri henüz ortaya konulamamıştır [31]. Atlar üzerinde yapılan bir çalışmada yemlerle birlikte 32 mg/kg dozda uzun süreli kuru Allium sativum takviyesinin, trakeal hastalıkların semptomlarını ve trakeal eksüdat birikimini azalttığını, ancak hayvanlarda hemoglobin, eritrosit ve hematokrit değerlerde azalmanın meydana geldiği bildirilmiştir [32] [36]. Yine köpeklerde yapılan bir çalışmada Aleo vera ve Coriandrum sativum'un antiobezite ve antidiabetik etkileri incelenmiş, köpeklere 5 haftalık periyotta ilk hafta kontrol diyeti, 2 hafta bitkisel preparatlardan oluşan diyet ve son 2 hafta arınma diyeti uygulanmıştır.…”