Impacts of algae supplements (Arthrospira & Chlorella) on growth, nutrient variables, intestinal efficacy, and antioxidants in New Zealand white rabbits.

An 8-week trial to examine the impacts of Arthrospira platensis and Chlorella vulgaris on the growth, nutrient aspects, intestinal efficacy, and antioxidants of 75 New Zealand white male rabbits (initial body weight = 665.93 ± 15.18 g). Herein the study was designed in one-way ANOVA to compare the effects of the two algae species with two levels of supplementations in the feeds of New Zealand white rabbits. The rabbits were divided into five groups (n = 15/group), where the first group was allocated as the control group (Ctrl) while the second and third groups received A. platensis at 300 or 500 mg/kg diet (Ap300 or Ap500). The fourth and fifth groups fed C. vulgaris at 300 or 500 mg/kg diet (Ch300 or Ch500). The basal diet rabbits exhibited the lowest values of weight, lipase, protease, and the highest feed conversion ratio, which improved noticeably with algae addition, particularly with Ap500, Ch300, and Ch500. All tested groups showed normal intestinal structure. Amylase potency, hematological indicators, and serum biochemistry revealed non-significant variation except for a higher serum total protein and lower total cholesterol in algal groups. The best GPx existed in groups fed algal diets, while favorable SOD and CAT efficiency occurred at the higher level of Arthrospira and both levels of Chlorella. In conclusion, incorporating Arthrospira or Chlorella in the diet of New Zealand white rabbits improved performance, nutrient utilization, intestinal efficacy, and antioxidants. Arthrospira (Ap500) and Chlorella (Ch300 or Ch500) have almost the same beneficial effect on rabbit performance.

Antiviral activity of five filamentous cyanobacteria against coxsackievirus B3 and rotavirus.

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) and rotavirus (RV) are pathogens of some chronic human diseases. The aim of this study was to determine in vitro antiviral activity of some cyanobacteria against RV and CVB3 infections. Five cyanobacteria were collected from Egypt, identified, and analyzed biochemically. Then, the inhibition of the cytopathic effect of RV and CVB3 viruses by cyanobacterial extracts was examined. Methanol extract of the cyanobacterial isolates showed high antiviral activity against CVB3 with Therapeutic index (TI) of 50.0, 30.0, 27.6, 16.6, and 20.0 for Leptolyngbya boryana, Arthrospira platensis, Nostoc punctiforme, Oscillatoria sp., and Leptolyngbya sp., respectively. The extracts reduced CVB3 titers comparing to 50% tissue culture infectious doses (TCID50) with values 3.25-5.75 log10 of TCID50. Moreover, extracts of A. platensis, and Oscillatoria sp. exhibited high antiviral activity against RV with TI values of 45 and 42.5, respectively, and a reduction in virus titers by 5.75 log10 and 5.5 log10 of TCID50, respectively. Extracts of L. boryana, Leptolyngbya sp., and N. punctiforme had a moderate to low antiviral activity against RV with TI ranging between 2.8 and 7, respectively, and a reduction in virus titers between 0.5 log10 and 1.5 log10 of TCID50, respectively. This study concluded that extracts of five cyanobacterial isolates possess a potent antiviral effect against CVB3 and RV, making them promising sources of new safe antiviral drugs.