Effect of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpora)and garlic (Allium satvium) as a supplementeddietary intake on some non-specific immunestatus, hematological parameters and growthperformance in grower (Huso huso)

The effects of orally administered purple cone flowerEchinacea purpura and garlic (Allium satvium) on thenon-specific immunity and growth condition of belugaweighing 1.15 ± 0.02 kg were evaluated for a periodof 60 days. The tree groups of fish were fed two dietscontaining 0.5% purple coneflower and 1% garlic and acontrol diet containing no supplemented herb. The growthperformance was positively affected by both dietary herbalsupplementations (p < 0.05). Among the humoral factors,serum alternative complement, lysozyme and respiratoryburst activity increased significantly in all supplementedgroups when compared to the control (p < 0.05). Thesefindings demonstrate that dietary Echinacea and garliccan modulate some of the innate defense mechanisms,hematological and growth parameters in Huso huso.

Keywords:

Echinacea purpurea , garlic , Huso huso , innate immunity