Allium hirtifolium protects Cyprinus carpio against the detrimental responses mediated by foodborne zinc oxide nanoparticle

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Zinc is a trace element and necessary for normal functioning of Cyprinus carpio. Zinc oxide nanoparticles, as a possible dietary zinc source, are capable of inducing hazardeous impacts on aquatic animals and human health. On the other hand, the beneficial effects of plant ectracts have been exploited for various purposes in aquaculture. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Allium hirtifolium extract (AHE) against foodborne toxicity of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) in C. carpio. Therefore, fish were fed six experimental diets including a control (basal diet), ZnO-13 (basal diet+13 mg.kg−1 of ZnO-NPs), ZnO-26 (basal diet+26 mg.kg−1 of ZnO-NPs), AHE (basal diet+15 g.kg−1 of AHE), and ZnO-13-AHE and ZnO-26-AHE (the same concentrations of ZnO-NPs plus AHE-1.5) for 30 days. Results showed a significant improvement in growth and immune parameters in AHE-1.5 group compared to other treatments. A growth retardation and immunological impairment were observed in ZnO-13 and ZnO-26 while a mitigation of WG, FCR, SR, and SGR was found in ZnO-13-AHE and ZnO-26-AHE. This is however, no statistical differences were found when comparing immunological parameters of fish receiving ZnO alone (ZnO-13 and ZnO-26) and with AHE supplementation (ZnO-13-AHE and ZnO-26-AHE). Significant modulations were found in expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8, and IL-10 genes suggesting the molecular cascade in responding to foodborne toxicity of ZnO-NPs. The present findings suggest potential role of AHE to mitigate foodborne toxicity induced by ZnO-NPs at molecular level. We also recommend the use of AHE as a growth promoter and an immunostimulant for C. carpio.