Functional and Mechanistic Studies of Two Anti-coccidial Herbs, Bidens pilosa and Artemisia indica

In this study, we investigated the anti-coccidial function and mechanism of phytogenic formulations composed of Bidens pilosa, Artemisia indica, and both used in combination. We found that these formulations increased the survival rate and reduced body weight loss, the feed conversion ratio, oocyst excretion, bloody stools, and gut lesions of chickens. Mechanistic studies showed that A. indica, but not B. pilosa, reduced the survival of Eimeria oocysts. Accordingly, they both inhibited oocyst sporulation and sporozoite invasion into Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells. Overall, we demonstrate that these formulations protect chickens against coccidiosis. Moreover, a combination of B. pilosa and A. indica has an additive effect on coccidiosis control and growth performance in chickens compared to either one used alone. [...] Georg Thieme Verlag KG Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, GermanyArticle in Thieme eJournals: Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text
Source: Planta Medica - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research