Effects of dietary Senecio scandens buch-ham extracts on growth performance, plasma biochemical, histology and the expression of immune-related genes in hybrid grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus♂ × Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀)

doi:10.1016/j.fsi.2019.11.002

Fish & Shellfish Immunology

Volume 98, March 2020, Pages 681-690

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2019.11.002 Get rights and content

Highlights

1.
Senecio scandens buch-ham extract (SSBE) could improve the WGR and SGR of hybrid grouper in the week 2 and week 4 at the group of Diet 0.05%.
2.
SSBE could improve the morphology of liver and the hind gut of hybrid grouper when adding 0.05%–0.1% in the diet.
3.
SSBE could decreased the expression of antioxidant related genes in liver, head kidney and spleen of hybrid grouper.
4.
The appropriate dosage of SSBE in hybrid grouper feed is 0.05%–0.1%.

Abstract

The study mainly aimed at the effects of dietary Senecio scandens buch-ham extract (SSBE) on the growth performance, body composition, plasma biochemical index, intestinal and liver histology and the expression of antioxidant, apoptosis and inflammatory related genes in hybrid grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus♂ × Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀). Basal diets supplemented with SSBE (10:1) 0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.4% were fed hybrid grouper for 8 weeks. The results showed that WGR and SGR were significantly increased in the week 2 and week 4 in Diet 0.05% group (P < 0.05). The total protein, globulin and albumin significantly increased whereas alanine aminotransferase, triglyceride and alkaline phosphate in the plasma were significantly decreased in Diet 0.1% group (P < 0.05). The villi length, width, muscle thickness and the cross-sectional area of intestine were improved in Diet 0.05% and Diet 0.1% group. The expression levels of PPAR-α and CPT-1 in the liver of hybrid grouper were significantly increased following the supplementation of SSBE (P < 0.05). The expression levels of antioxidant related genes (CAT, GPX, GR and Keap1) and anti-inflammatory factor (IL-10) in liver, head kidney and spleen of hybrid grouper decreased significantly (P < 0.05). In addition, diets supplemented with 0.05%–0.1% SSBE had a good liver-protecting effect, but it would have a detrimental effect on hepatocytes when the content exceeds 0.2%. The above results indicated that the suitable additive amount of SSBE in hybrid grouper feed was 0.05%–0.1%.

Introduction

Fish and fishery products are important sources of high quality protein and essential nutrients, which can meet the needs of human health [1]. In recent years, the demand for aquatic products has gradually increased with the improvement of living standards which greatly promote the development of aquaculture [2]. Consequently, the scale and density of aquaculture are increasing and the contradiction between aquaculture development and environmental protection is increasingly prominent [1]. In order to avoid large scale diseases and reduce economic losses in the process of fish breeding, the use of feed additives and functional feed has been paid more and more attention [3,4]. Plant extract have come into focus as a new type of feed additive under this situation for their wide source, low price, stimulating appetite, promoting growth, regulating immunity, little side effect and environmental friendliness characteristics [5].

Senecio scandens buch-ham, which known as “Qianliguang” in Chinese, is a relatively common Chinese medicinal herb [6]. It is often used to treat various diseases such as enteritis, bacterial diarrhea, respiratory infection and conjunctivitis in China [7,8]. It is reported that the active constituents of “Qianliguang"are flavonoids, phenolic acids, volatile oils, alkaloids, chlorogenic acids, vitamins [[9], [10], [11], [12]]. Studies have shown that Qianliguang has broad spectrum of antibacterial activity [13,14], strong antioxidant activity [7,15]and anti-tumor effect [6]. However, there were few studies on the application of Qianliguang in animal husbandry at present. Only found Lu et al. reported that Qianliguang ultrafine powder can improve the growth performance, metabolism and immunity of piglets [12]. Li et al. found that Qianliguang could promote the GR of mice when intraperitoneal injection [16]. However, there was no research and application of Qianliguang in aquaculture up to now.

Hybrid grouper, which was come from fertilizing the eggs of tiger grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) with the sperm of giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) through the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) technique, has been widely cultured in China due to its increasing market demand in recent years [17]. Previous research showed that ginkgo biloba leaf extract [18], panax notoginseng extract [19], Radix Bupleuri extracts [20], Lycium barbarum extract [21] and dandelion extracts [22] could improve hepatic antioxidant status, maintain normal liver histology and preserve liver function of hybrid grouper. There is no report about using Senecio scandens buch-ham extract (SSBE) as supplement in hybrid grouper feed until now. This study mainly investigate the effects of SSBE on the growth performance, body composition, plasma biochemical, intestinal and liver morphology and gene expression of hybrid grouper.

Section snippets

Diet preparation

Formulation and proximate composition of the experimental diets were provided in Table 1. The basal diet was used as control diet (Diet 0%). The experimental diets were supplemented with 0.05% (Diet 0.05%), 0.1% (Diet 0.1%), 0.2% (Diet 0.2%) and 0.4% (Diet 0.4%) SSBE (extracted with ethanol at a ratio of 10:1, Nanjing DASF Bio-technology Co.,Ltd., China), respectively. All the ingredients sieved through 60-mesh sieve after pulverizing powder with muti-function pulverizer (LB-WGZL01, Foshan

Effect of dietary SSBE on growth performance and body indices of hybrid grouper

As was shown in Fig. 1. The WGR and SGR were significantly increased in the group of Diet 0.05% at 2 weeks and 4 weeks (P < 0.05), though there were no significant difference at 8 weeks (P > 0.05). Effects of dietary SSBE on FE, CF, VSI, HSI and IFP were shown in Table 3. Though there were no significant difference of FE, CF, VSI and IFP at 8 weeks (P > 0.05), HSI significantly decreased at the group of Diet 0.05% (P < 0.05).

Effect of dietary SSBE on whole body and muscle composition of hybrid grouper

As was shown in Table 4. Dietary SSBE significantly decrease the

Discussion

Plant extracts can provide rich nutrients for animals, enhance the metabolism of animals, and promote the growth of cultured animals [20]. Because they contain many bioactive components, such as alkaloids, polysaccharides, flavonoids, organic acids, volatile oils and so on [23]. Previous study showed that the WGR of piglets increased by adding SSB (Senecio scandens Buch-Ham) superfine powder in the diet [12]. Intraperitoneal injection of diluted SSB can promote the growth of mice [16]. Yue et

Conclusion

In conclusion, SSBE could improve the WGR and SGR of hybrid grouper in the week 2 and week 4 at the group Diet 0.05%. It has a good liver protection effect on hybrid grouper at week 8. It can improve the length, width and muscle layer thickness of the hind intestine of hybrid grouper when adding 0.05%–0.1% SSBE in the feed of the fish. The expression of antioxidant related genes showed decrease trend in liver, head kidney and spleen. However, a high dose of SSBE will damage the health of liver

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by National Key R&D Program of China (2018YFD0900400), Guangdong MEPP Fund (GDOE [2019]A33), Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation (2018A030313222, 2016A030313447).

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Full length articleEffects of dietary Senecio scandens buch-ham extracts on growth performance, plasma biochemical, histology and the expression of immune-related genes in hybrid grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus♂ × Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀)

Highlights

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Diet preparation

Effect of dietary SSBE on growth performance and body indices of hybrid grouper

Effect of dietary SSBE on whole body and muscle composition of hybrid grouper

Discussion

Conclusion

Acknowledgement

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Full length article
Effects of dietary Senecio scandens buch-ham extracts on growth performance, plasma biochemical, histology and the expression of immune-related genes in hybrid grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus♂ × Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀)