Influence of Azadirachta indica and Cnidoscolus angustidens Dietary Extracts on Equine Fecal Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

The present study was conducted to investigate the aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica (AZN), Cnidoscolus angustidens (CNA), and their combination (MIX) at dosages of 0-, 0.6-, 1.2-, and 1.8- mL for their ability to reduce greenhouse gases and fermentation profiles in an in vitro study using horse feces and a nutrient-dense diet (as substrate). The quantity of greenhouse gas and fermentation profiles were determined in in vitro incubation for 48 h. Extracts of AZN, CNA, and MIX reduced total gas production of the incubated and degraded substrates in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Production of CH4 was reduced (P < .05) by 4.41% to 54.54% with the incubated substrates and by 1.16% to 61.82% with the degraded substrates. However, AZN and MIX reduced (P < .05) CO by 4.43% to 12.85% with the incubated substrates and by 0.70% to 16.78% with the degraded substrates. In like manner, the plant extracts and combination reduced (P < .05) H2S production in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner by 18.37% to 67.35% with the incubated substrates and by 8.51% to 67.23% with the degraded substrates. Extracts maintained pH within the normal range, reduced dry matter digestibility and metabolizable energy, and improved (P < .05) concentration of short chain fatty acids. Overall, aqueous extracts of AZN and CNA and their combinations had a positive effect on reducing the greenhouse gas production with no deleterious effect on fecal horses' fermentation activities.

Anti-Methanogenic Traits of Safflower Oil Compounds Against Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase Receptor in Equines: An In Silico Docking Analysis.

Greenhouse gases emission from livestock is the major concern for the ecosystem. Despite the lower contribution of non-ruminants towards greenhouse gas emission as compared to the ruminants, the emission of methane (CH4) gas from equines is expected to be increased in future due to its increasing population. Thus, it is essential to find or screen potential anti-methanogenic agent in a cost-effective and quicker manner. Considering this, the present investigation was aimed to analyze anti-methanogenic characteristic of bioactive compounds of safflower oil by targeting methanogenesis catalyzing enzyme (Methyl-coenzyme M reductase; MCR) via in silico tool. Initially, a total of 25 compounds associated with safflower oil were selected and their drug-likeness traits were predicted through Lipinski's rule of 5. Of 25 compounds, 9 compounds passed all the parameters of Lipinski's rule of five. These 9 ligands were further submitted for ADME traits analysis using Swiss ADME tool. Results revealed the absence of Lipinski's violation and approval of drug-likeness attributes of methyl tetradecanoate, 3-isopropyl-6-methylenecyclohex-1-ene, trans-2,4-decadienal, cis-6-nonenal, limonene, syringic acids, matairesinol, acacetin, and 2,5-octanedione. Molecular docking analysis was performed for analyzing the affinity between the selected 9 ligands and MCR receptor using FRED v3.2.0 from OpenEye Scientific Software and Discovery Studio client v16.1.0. Results showed maximum binding interaction of acacetin with MCR with the chemguass4 score of -13.35. Other ligands showed comparatively lower binding affinity in the order of matairesinol (-12.43) > methyl tetradecanoate (-9.25) > cis-6-nonenal (-7.88) > syringic acids (-7.73) > limonene (-7.18) > trans-2,4-decadienal (-7.07) > 3-isopropyl-6-methylenecyclohex-1-ene (-7.01) > 2,5-octanedione (-7.0.). In a nutshell, these identified compounds were observed as potential agents to reduce CH4 production from equines by targeting MCR. This in silico study emphasized the role of safflower-associated compounds in developing anti-methanogenic drug for equines in future.

Dietary Supplements of Vitamins E, C, and ß-Carotene to Reduce Oxidative Stress in Horses: An Overview.

Oxidative stress is the excess generation of free radicals and/or a decrease in the response of the antioxidant system. It is known to cause damage to the equine health by unbalancing the stable molecules. The dietary supplementation of vitamins E, C, and ß-carotene cause beneficial effect on horses' health. These supplements could transform free radicals into the stable radicals, thereby showing importance in the prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress. Adding vitamins E, C, and ß-carotene to the horses' diets in stressful conditions could decrease the production of free radicals that cause inflammation and tissue damage, the typical characteristics that have been associated with oxidative stress. This review spotlights the available evidence of the benefits of dietary supplements of vitamins E, C, and ß-carotene towards the reduction of oxidative stress in horses.

Anticoccidial efficacy of naringenin and a grapefruit peel extract in growing lambs naturally-infected with Eimeria spp.

The current study aimed to determine the anti-Eimeria efficacy of an extract of grapefruit peels (GF) and commercial naringenin (NAR) in naturally-infected lambs, as well as the influence of these flavonoids on the oxidative status during ovine coccidiosis. Pharmacokinetic profiles were also determined. Extracts were administered per os to Eimeria naturally infected growing lambs during 90 consecutive days. The commercial anticoccidial drug toltrazuril (TTZ) was included in this trial as a standard. Twenty-four lambs were divided into four groups: NAR, lambs given a daily dose of 5mg of a commercial naringenin extract of 98% higher purity per kg body weight; GF, lambs that recived a daily dose of 5mg of ethanolic extract of grapefruit peels per kg body weight; TTZ, lambs treated with 20mg of toltrazuril/kg body weight on days 0 and 15 of the experiment; and CTRL, untreated lambs that received daily dose of 30ml of water. Daily doses of GF and NAR were dissolved in 30ml of water and orally given to animals; whereas toltrazuril was administered as a single dose of an undiluted suspension to lambs of the TTZ group. The CTRL group received 30ml of water; as well as the TTZ group for the period after the single dose administration. Fecal and serum samples were collected from all lambs. Anticoccidial efficacy was estimated by coprological techniques. Generation of nitric oxide levels and the antioxidant capacity of the experimental compounds were determined by the Griess and ABTS assays, respectively. The pharmacokinetic parameters of NAR and the GF extract were obtained. On day 30 post-ingestion, anticoccidial efficacy was 91.76% (NAR) and 89.65% (GF); whereas 99.63% of efficacy was achieved with TTZ 15days after treatment. NAR, GF and TTZ significantly reduced oxidative stress in infected animals. The mean daily weight gain for each group was 122g (NAR), 122g (GF), 143g (TTZ) and 98g (CTRL). Following the oral administration of NAR and GF, values in plasma approached maximum concentrations within 2.1 to 2.5h. In conclusion, the administration of NAR and the GF extract reduced Eimeria oocyst output, oxidative stress and promoted higher mean daily weight gains in infected lambs.