Effects of Supplemental Epigallocatechin Gallate in the Diet of Broilers Exposed to Fluoride Intoxication.

We evaluated the effects of dietary epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on the performance, biochemical parameters, and liver histopathology of fluoride-intoxicated broiler chickens. In total, 160 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross PM3 strain) were collected and assigned to four groups (40 animals each), with four replicates. The control group received a basal diet; the F group received 800 mg/kg fluoride; the EGCG group received 400 mg/kg EGCG; and the EGCG+F group received 400 mg/kg EGCG and 800 mg/kg fluoride. The live weight (LW) of F-treated chicks was significantly lower than that of the controls. In the F-treated groups, feed intake (FI) and LW values were lower, but the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was higher than those of the controls. The ratio of heart weight to LW was found to be the highest in the F-treated groups. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total oxidant status (TOS) levels in the F-treated groups were significantly higher, whereas the increase in total cholesterol levels was insignificant than those in the control group. In the EGCG+F group, AST, total cholesterol, and TOS levels decreased to a level comparable to those in the control group. Histopathological evaluation revealed that there were mild changes in the portal region in the EGCG+F group; additionally, there was an improvement in liver morphology in the EGCG+F group compared to that in the F group. Thus, EGCG has potent antioxidant and regenerative effects that can ameliorate the detrimental effects of fluoride toxicity on blood parameters and the liver.

Antiparasitic efficiency of Artemisia absinthium on Toxocara cati in naturally infected cats.

OBJECTIVE: The first aim of the present study was to determine the efficiency of A. absinthium extract on cats naturally infected with Toxocara cati. The second aim was to determine the efficiency of the extract on the embryonic development of T. cati eggs in vitro. METHODS: Artemisia absinthium extract was orally administrated to cats at the doses of 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg body weight in Group 1 and 2, respectively. It was given only once a day and the treatment continued 7 consecutive days. The faeces of the cats were examined both macroscopically and microscopically by flotation procedure with saturated salt solution pre-, during and post- treatment period. The faecal analysis was maintained during 8 days after completing the extract administration. The alteration of faecal egg numbers was performed by using the McMaster technique. RESULTS: The faecal egg numbers per gram were decreased gradually in cats in the trial groups. In the treatment period, the activities of ALT, AST, ALP, urea and creatinine were located within the physiological ranges in cats. In in vitro trials with A. absinthium extract, the embryonic development of T. cati eggs was identical in all groups (treatment and control). A. absinthium extract did not inhibit larval development in eggs in in vitro trials. CONCLUSION: This plant extract may be an alternative choice in the treatment of parasitic diseases in future.