Effects of chestnut wood extract and flubendazole on small intestinal morphometry and mucin layer and peripheral blood leukocytes in the pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

Abstract

The study examined leukocytes and subpopulation of lymphocytes in peripheral blood, lymphoproliferative activity, morphology of intestine including mucus barrier in pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) after treatment with flubendazole (Flimabend®) and natural extract from sweet chestnut wood (Farmatan®). A total of 24 six-month-old female pheasants were divided into 4 groups (n = 6). The FL group received flubendazole per os 100 mg/g suspension in 1.43 mg of active substance/kg body weight during 7 days of experiment. The CW group received chestnut wood extract per os at a 0.2% concentration for 6 h per day during 5 days (experimental days from 3 to 7). The FL+CW group received a combination of doses administered in the same way as for the first two groups. The control C group received administration with no active substance. The results in our trial demonstrated a mild inflammatory effect on leukocytes, lymphocytes, heterophils, eosinophils (P < 0.05), and an increase of CD8+ cells in peripheral blood after administration of flubendazole (P < 0.05). On the other hand, administration of chestnut wood extract containing tannins revealed an anti-inflammatory effect on immunocompetent cells (P < 0.05). Enhanced lymphoproliferative activity of T and B lymphocytes was observed in chestnut wood extract groups (P < 0.001). Increased total jejunal thickness of mucus (P < 0.001) and increased production of MUC-2 (P < 0.01) was found in the CW group. Body weight was not different between the trial groups. Results indicate that chestnut wood extract can be administered as a preventive immunomodulatory substance reducing inflammatory process as well as an adjuvant in treatment with anthelmintics in pheasants.