Phytobiotics in world practice: plant species and active substances, efficiency and limitations, perspectives (review)

Abstract

In the review the historical preconditions for implementation and the state of use (for 2021) of phytogenic substances as growth and productivity stimulators of farm animals are considered. The main aspects of phytobiotics use have been analyzed in detail: 1) mechanisms of action; 2) distinction between phytobiotics and veterinary medicines; 3) species range of the plants used and their active substances; 4) productive efficiency. The following limitations and disadvantages in the use of existing phytobiotics are considered: they do not have a direct anabolic effect and are useless under severe stress, and by the combination of bad factors the negative effect cannot be overcome. In addition, there are problems with their safety. Other limitations - the composition of phytobiotics varies widely, there is no standardization for active substances, and attempts to do this reveal cytoxicity in very small dosages of these compounds (essential oils, saponins, isoquinoline alkaloids). In the prospect of further studies, unique plant sources from Russia are proposed, which are absent abroad and contain ecdysteroids as biologically active components, not available in the phytogenic substances widely used now. Distinctive properties of phytoecdysteroids and ecdysterone as their main representative are as follows: feed additives containing them relieve severe stress, conventional phytobiotics do not have such an effect; have direct anabolic effect; have pleiotropic (multiple) effect. Their use in livestock breeding does not cause fears, as they are safe substances. It is possible to combine such substances with other antimicrobial agents in order to improve bioavailability and prolong the action of the active ingredient of ecdysterone