Effect of dietary Andrographis paniculata leaf extract on growth, immunity, and disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in Pangasianodon hypopthalmus

ABSTRACT

Aeromonas hydrophila severely hampers the farmed catfish production. A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of Andrographis paniculata leaf extract on growth, immunomodulation, and disease outbreak against A. hydrophila in Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. A total of 180 juveniles of P. hypophthalmus (avg. wt. 123.33 ± 1.8 g) were distributed randomly in four groups following a completely randomized design in triplicate. Four experimental diets—C (no extract), T₁ (1%), T₂ (2%), and T₃ (4%)—were prepared and fed twice daily. Growth metrics were calculated after 45 days and challenged with A. hydrophila. Relative percentage survival (RPS) was recorded over 15 days postchallenge. Results indicated that A. paniculata extract has a positive effect on hematobiochemical parameters and immune response. The highest (P < 0.05) pre- and postchallenge serum lysozyme activity, respiratory burst activity, and globulin level were found in the T₂ group and lowest in the T₀ group. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher percentage weight gain and SGR and lowest FCR were found in the T₂ group than in the other groups. RPS was highest (P < 0.05) in the T₂ group, followed by the T₁ and T₃ groups, compared to the control. Results suggest that A. paniculata leaf extract at a level of 2% could improve growth, immunity, and disease resistance against A. hydrophila by enhancing innate immunity in P. hypophthalmus.

KEYWORDS:

• Andrographis paniculata
• antioxidant activity
• innate immunity
• Aeromonas hydrophila
• Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the Vice Chancellor of the West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences and the Dean of Faculty of Fishery Sciences, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences for providing the necessary facilities for carrying out the research work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The supporting data of the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was solely funded by West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, India.