Thyme, Oregano, and Garlic Essential Oils and Their Main Active Compounds Influence Eimeria tenella Intracellular Development

Abstract

Coccidiosis poses a significant challenge in poultry production and is typically managed with ionophores and chemical anticoccidials. However, the emergence of drug resistance and limitations on their use have encouraged the exploration of alternative solutions, including botanical compounds and improvements in in vitro screening methods. Prior research focused only on the impact of these alternatives on Eimeria invasion, with intracellular development in cell cultures receiving limited attention. This study assessed the impact of thyme (Thymus vulgaris), oregano (Origanum vulgare), and garlic (Allium sativum) essential oils, as well as their bioactive compounds, on the initial phase of schizogony in Madin–Darby bovine kidney cells, comparing their effectiveness to two commercially used anticoccidial drugs. Using image analysis and quantitative PCR, the study confirmed the efficacy of commercial anticoccidials in reducing invasion and schizont formation, and it found that essential oils were equally effective. Notably, thymol and carvacrol exhibited mild inhibition of intracellular replication of the parasite but significantly reduced schizont numbers, implying a potential reduction in pathogenicity. In conclusion, this research highlights the promise of essential oils and their bioactive components as viable alternatives to traditional anticoccidial drugs for mitigating coccidiosis in poultry, particularly by disrupting the intracellular development of the parasites.

Coccidiosis in Egg-Laying Hens and Potential Nutritional Strategies to Modulate Performance, Gut Health, and Immune Response

“…The beneficial effects of these PFAs include supporting the host by immunomodulatory effects and providing protection against free radicals by scavenging reactive oxygen species and interfering directly with parasitic metabolism, reducing oocyst shedding and cecal short-chain fatty acid production [45,163,165]. Furthermore, Felici et al (2023) [166] reported that bioactive compounds from a PFA can inhibit the intracellular replication of Eimeria and reduce schizont numbers.…”