Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of herbal extracts on selected immunity mechanisms in clinically healthy pigeons and pigeons inoculated with the pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1). For the first 7 days post-inoculation (dpi), an aqueous solution of Aloe vera or licorice extract was administered daily at 300 or 500 mg/kg body weight (BW). The birds were euthanized at 4, 7 and 14 dpi, and spleen samples were collected during necropsy. Mononuclear cells were isolated from spleen samples and divided into two parts: one part was used to determine the percentage of IgM+ B cells in a flow cytometric analysis, and the other was used to evaluate the expression of genes encoding IFN-γ and surface receptors on CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.ResultsThe expression of the IFN-γ gene increased in all birds inoculated with PPMV-1 and receiving both herbal extracts. The expression of the CD3 gene was lowest at 14 dpi in healthy birds and at 7 dpi in inoculated pigeons. The expression of the CD4 gene was higher in uninoculated pigeons receiving both herbal extracts than in the control group throughout nearly the entire experiment with a peak at 7 dpi. A reverse trend was observed in pigeons inoculated with PPMV-1 and receiving both herbal extracts. In uninoculated birds, increased expression of the CD8 gene was noted in the pigeons receiving a lower dose of the Aloe vera extract and both doses of licorice extracts. No significant differences in the expression of this gene were found between inoculated pigeons receiving both herbal extracts. The percentage of IgM+ B cells did not differ between any of the evaluated groups.ConclusionsThis results indicate that Aloe vera and licorice extracts have immunomodulatory properties and can be used successfully to prevent viral diseases, enhance immunity and as supplementary treatment for viral diseases in pigeons.
Highlights
The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of herbal extracts on selected immunity mechanisms in clinically healthy pigeons and pigeons inoculated with the pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1)
Mononuclear cells were isolated from spleen samples and divided into two parts: one part was used to determine the percentage of IgM+ B cells in a flow cytometric analysis, and the other was used in RNA extraction to evaluate the expression of genes encoding IFN-γ and surface receptors on CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells
Expression of the IFN-ɣ gene No significant differences in the expression of the gene encoding IFN-ɣ in mononuclear cells isolated from spleen samples were observed between the experimental groups during the experiment
Summary
The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of herbal extracts on selected immunity mechanisms in clinically healthy pigeons and pigeons inoculated with the pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1). Immunomodulation is the stimulation or suppression of immune responses in living organisms. Numerous substances, both natural and synthetic, exert effects on immunity. Natural immunomodulators include herbal preparations whose popularity continues to increase due to the decreasing effectiveness of antibiotics and other synthetic drugs [27]. Aloe vera gel contains polysaccharides, including acemannan which is one of the most potent plant-derived immunomodulators. Aloe vera extract could stimulate cell-mediated immunity (CMI). Aloe vera extracts were found to stimulate humoral immunity in chickens experimentally infected with the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) [26]. The discussed plant delivers numerous health benefits and exerts anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-carcinogenic effects due to the presence of anthraquinones, saccharides and antioxidant vitamins (A, C and E) [38]
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