Potential of selected plant extracts to control severe subacute ruminal acidosis in vitro as compared with monensin

Abstract

Background In recent years, researchers have become increasingly interested in developing natural feed additives that can stabilize ruminal pH and thus prevent or eliminate the risk of severe subacute rumen acidosis. Herein, 3 experiments were conducted using a semi-automated in vitro gas production technique. In the experiment (Exp.) 1, the efficacy of 9 plant extracts (1.5 mg/ml), compared to monensin (MON; 12 μg/ml), to counteract ruminal acidosis stimulated by adding glucose (0.1 g/ml) as a fermentable carbohydrate without buffer was assessed for 6 h. In Exp. 2, cinnamon extract (CIN) and MON were evaluated to combat glucose-induced acidosis with buffer use for 24 h. In Exp. 3, the effect of CIN and MON on preventing acidosis when corn or barley grains were used as substrate was examined. Results In Exp. 1, cinnamon, grape seeds, orange, pomegranate peels, propolis, and guava extracts significantly increased (P < 0.05) pH compared to control (CON). Both CIN and MON significantly increased the pH (P < 0.001) but reduced cumulated gas production (P < 0.01) compared to the other treatments. In Exp. 2, the addition of CIN extract increased (P < 0.01) pH value compared to CON at the first 6 h of incubation. However, no significant differences in pH values between CIN and CON at 24 h of incubation were observed. The addition of CIN extract and MON decreased (P < 0.001) lactic acid concentration and TVFA compared to CON at 24 h. The CIN significantly (P < 0.01) increased acetate: propionate ratio while MON reduced it. In Exp. 3, both CIN and MON significantly increased (P < 0.05) ruminal pH at 6 and 24 h and reduced lactic acid concentration at 24 h compared to CON with corn as substrate. However, CIN had no effect on pH with barley substrate at all incubation times. Conclusions It can be concluded that CIN can be used effectively as an alternative antibiotic to MON to control ruminal acidosis when corn is used as a basal diet.

Evaluation of four ornamental plant extracts as insecticidal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant against the West Nile vector, Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) and metabolomics screening for potential therapeutics

“…This result agrees with Ahmed et al [117], who reported that both species of Lantana (L. camara and L. montevidensis) contained Flavonoid glycosides. In some cases, the antibacterial activities of flavonoid glycosides were equal to or higher than those of ciprofloxacin used as a reference antibiotic, suggesting that they might be effective antibiotics against these pathogenic bacteria [118].…”

Rumen fermentation and microbial diversity of sheep fed a high-concentrate diet supplemented with hydroethanolic extract of walnut green husks

“…Plants and their extracts contain large amounts of phytochemicals such as saponins, alkaloids, phenolic compounds (e.g., tannins and flavonoids), terpenoids and essential oils with antioxidant and antibacterial effects, which play an active role in stabilizing rumen pH and preventing SARA [ 27 ]. Extracts of cinnamon ( Cinnamonum cassia ), grape seed ( Vitis vinifera ), orange peel ( Citrus sinensis ), pomegranate peel ( Punica granatum ), propolis and guava ( Psidium guajava ) significantly increased the pH of mixed rumen microorganisms in in vitro fermentation, cinnamon extract also reduced lactate and total VFA concentrations in rumen fluid and improved the ratio of acetate to propionate, and could be used as an alternative to monensin to effectively control rumen acidosis [ 2 ]. The addition of a mixture of mangosteen peel ( Garcinia mangostana L.), rambutan peel ( Nephelium lappaceum L.), banana flower powder ( Musa sapientum L.) and cassava starch ( Manihot esculenta , rich in condensed tannins and saponins) to the diet had a good buffering effect on the decrease in rumen fluid pH caused by high concentrate rations, and the rumen pH increased from 5.74 to 6.19 after 8 h of feeding, and nutrient digestibility and efficiency of microbial nitrogen supply were significantly improved, while ruminal methane production and protozoa were significantly reduced [ 28 ].…”

“…Plants and their extracts contain large amounts of phytochemicals such as saponins, alkaloids, phenolic compounds (e.g., tannins and flavonoids), terpenoids and essential oils with antioxidant and antibacterial effects, which play an active role in stabilizing rumen pH and preventing SARA [27]. Extracts of cinnamon (Cinnamonum cassia), grape seed (Vitis vinifera), orange peel (Citrus sinensis), pomegranate peel (Punica granatum), propolis and guava (Psidium guajava) significantly increased the pH of mixed rumen microorganisms in in vitro fermentation, cinnamon extract also reduced lactate and total VFA concentrations in rumen fluid and improved the ratio of acetate to propionate, and could be used as an alternative to monensin to effectively control rumen acidosis [2].…”

“…Previous research has reported that some plant extracts can regulate ruminal fermentation, increase rumen pH, and prevent SARA in ruminants. Plant-derived feed additives such as extracts of cinnamon, grape seed, orange, pomegranate peel have beneficial effects on reducing SARA induced by high concentrate feed [ 2 ]. Plant extracts are rich in active ingredients such as saponins, essential oils, and phenolic compounds (such as tannins and flavonoids), which have multiple effects such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial.…”

Effect of Combining the Ionophore Monensin with Natural Antimicrobials Supplemented in the Last Phase of Finishing of Lambs: Growth Performance, Dietary Energetics, and Carcass Characteristics

“…This feeding system represents a high risk for the presence of ruminal subacute acidosis episodes, which can negatively affect feed efficiency at this stage [ 2 ]. Improved ruminal fermentation by modulating certain microorganisms that reduce production of specific intermediate organic acids (i.e., lactate), as well as promoting an increase in ruminal propionate by reducing ruminal acetate and enhancing epithelial health and increasing nutrient absorption, is one of the ways to obtain better performance in ruminants that are fed high-energy diets [ 3 ]. A widely used tool to prevent this type of disorder and increase efficiency in the final stage of fattening is the antibiotic monensin (MON), which has been used for many years as a growth promoter in feedlots in several countries (i.e., Mexico, Canada, USA, Brazil, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, and South Africa, among others) where its use is approved [ 4 , 5 , 6 ].…”