Zoonotic Diseases and Phytochemical Medicines for Microbial Infections in Veterinary Science: Current State and Future Perspective

Abstract

Diseases caused by bacterial infections in small-scale and industrial livestock are becoming serious global health concern in veterinary science. Zoonotic bacteria, including Staphylococcus, Campylobacter, and Bartonella species, that infect animals and humans cause various illnesses, such as fever, diarrhea, and related complications. Bacterial diseases in animals can be treated with various classes of antibiotics, including fluoroquinolones, beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, and macrolides. However, the overuse and misuse of antibiotics have led to drug resistance in infectious agents, e.g., methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus; this hampers the treatment of infections in livestock, and such problems are increasing worldwide. Dietary phytochemicals and herbal medicines are useful and viable alternatives to pharmaceuticals because they are economical, effective, non-resistance-forming, renewable, and environmentally friendly. They are small molecules with high structural diversity that cause selective stress to or stimulation of resident microbiota, consequently causing an abundance of such microorganisms; thus, they can be used in preventing various diseases, ranging from metabolic and inflammatory diseases to cancer. In addition, the antioxidant effects of phytochemicals prevent substantial losses in the livestock industry by increasing animal fertility and preventing diseases. Potentially effective plant extracts could be used in combination with antibiotics to decrease the required dose of antibiotics and increase their effectiveness. This strategy can help avoid the side effects of chemical antimicrobials and allow the effective use of phytochemicals for treating diseases. Furthermore, phytochemicals are considered as potential alternatives to antibiotics because of their economical, non-resistance-forming and environmentally friendly properties. Flavonoids such as resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, and phenols such as galangin, puerarin, and ursolic acid are proven to be effective as antimicrobial agents. This review provides invaluable information about the types of microbial infections in animals and the current knowledge on phytotherapeutic agents classified by their mode of actions. It also provides insights into potential strategies for effectively treating animal infections using phytochemicals.

Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Reveals Antiviral and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Puerarin in Piglets Infected With Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus

“…Puerarin (PR) is an isoflavonoid isolated from Gegen, which is a traditional Chinese herb medicine (12). PR has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects (13)(14)(15) and has been proven to be an effective antimicrobial agent (16). PR significantly prevented human alveolar epithelial A549 cells from Staphylococcus aureusinduced injury and may be considered as a potential candidate for the development of anti-virulence drugs in the treatment of S. aureus-mediated infections (17).…”

Antifungal in vitro Activity of Essential Oils against Clinical Isolates of <b><i>Malassezia pachydermatis</i></b> from Canine Ears: A Report from a Practice Laboratory

“…In human medicine, general emergence of antifungal resistance is already known [9]. Besides, the interest in natural plant products in veterinary medicine is increasing [10][11][12]. Thus, essential oils (EOs) could be a candidate for alternative treatment of otitis externa.…”

Effects of different sterilization methods of herbal formula on phytochemical compounds and antibacterial activity against mastitis-causing bacteria

“…In addition, phenol and flavonoid contents in plants reportedly exhibit antioxidant and antibacterial effects, as well as the immune system promoting and inflammatory effects [20]. Reportedly, phenol and flavonoid could be used to treat zoonotic diseases like mastitis [21][22][23]. Notably, understanding proper sterilization methods for preclinical research or clinical application is imperative to prevent huge damage and maximize the potential use of phytochemicals as an active compound in these herbs.…”