calendula and Body-Weight

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Marigold flower powder (MFP) and marigold flower extract (MFEx) as feed additives on the performance, blood parameters, antioxidant capacity, immunological parameters, microbial content, digestive enzymes and digestibility in growing Japanese quail. A total number of 350 birds randomly distributed into seven groups, with five replicates of 10 birds each, control diet (control group), the second, third and fourth groups were fed on a basal diet within MFP 0.6%, 0.9% and 1.2% respectively. Fifth, sixth and seventh groups received the basal diet plus MFEx 150, 200 and 250 ppm respectively. Quails fed on a diet supplemented with MFEx 200 ppm had significantly higher lipase levels (p ≤ 0.001) compared to the control and MFP 0.6% without any significant difference with other experimental groups. Moreover, all digestibility coefficients (DC) of nutrients except for nitrogen-free extract were significantly (p ≤ 0.001) affected by all dietary treatments. Quails fed on the diet supplemented with MFEx 200 ppm significantly (p ≤ 0.001) presented the best body weight, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and the lowest feed intake over all groups. Total lipid profile, kidney functions and liver functions were significantly affected by both MFP and MFEx diets. The group treated with MFEx 250 ppm had lowest E. coli and Salmonella population and the highest Lactobacilli population number. Antioxidant parameters and immune response (except for lymphocytes) were significantly affected (p ≤ 0.001) by different levels of MFP and MFEx. In conclusion, the addition of MFEx and MFP at 200 ppm followed by 250 ppm and 1.2% MFP, respectively, to the basal diet improved product productive performance, blood parameters, antioxidant capacity, immunological parameters, microbial content and digestibility in growing Japanese quail.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Antioxidants; Body Weight; Calendula; Coturnix; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Escherichia coli; Flowers; Immunity; Nutrients; Powders; Quail

Marigold flavonoids, extracted from marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) inflorescence residues, have attracted significant attention with respect to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and chelating properties. However, the toxicity of marigold flavonoids have not yet been fully investigated.. The main purpose of this study was to assess the safety of marigold flavonoids extracted from Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) in order to provide information on its nonclinical safety. Thus, the acute oral toxicity, in vitro Ames test, sperm aberration study, bone marrow micronucleus test, subchronic oral toxicity test, and teratogenic potential were carried out in rats or mice.. For an acute oral toxicity test, SD rats and ICR mice (male and female, n = 5) orally received a single dose of 5000 mg/kg marigold flavonoids. Evaluation of marigold flavonoids genotoxic potential with a battery of tests, including an in vitro bacterial reverse mutation test using four mutant strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA. In the acute oral toxicity test, marigold flavonoids given at the dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight for 14 days didn't produce any abnormal clinical symptoms or mortality in SD rats and ICR mice (both sex, n = 5). There was no evidence of genotoxicity of marigold flavonoids based on the results of the in vitro bacterial reverse mutation test (up to 1250 μg/plate), the sperm aberration test (up to 5000 mg/kg body weight), the in vivo micronucleus test (up to 5000 mg/kg body weight), the subchronic oral toxicity study (up to 10 g/kg feed dose) and the teratogenic test (up to 1250 mg/kg body weight).. We found that marigold flavonoids are safe with regard to acute toxicity in rats or mice as well as genotoxicity such as mutagenesis or clastogenesis under the present experimental conditions. These results might support the safety of marigold flavonoids as a potential therapeutic material for the traditional use of herbal medicines and for the further development of novel antioxidant.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Body Weight; Calendula; Female; Flavonoids; Inflorescence; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Micronucleus Tests; Mutagenicity Tests; Plant Extracts; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Seeds

Oxidative stress (OS) and nitric oxide mechanisms have been recently proposed in 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP)-induced neurotoxicity. The compounds, having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and estrogenic effects, have been suggested for neuroprotection in different experimental models. Calendula officinalis Linn. flower extract (COE) is known for its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, estrogenic and neuroprotective activities. Hence, the present study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of COE on 3-NP-induced neurotoxicity in rats by observing behavioral changes, OS and striatal damage in rat brain. Adult female Wistar rats were pretreated with vehicle or COE (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 7 days, followed by cotreatment with 3-NP (15 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) for the next 7 days. At the end of the treatment schedule, rats were evaluated for alterations in sensory motor functions and short-term memory. Animals were sacrificed and brain homogenates were used for the estimation of lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione, total thiols, glutathione S-transferase, catalase and nitrite. A set of brain slices was used for the evaluation of neuronal damage in the striatal region of the brain. 3-NP caused significant alterations in animal behavior, oxidative defense system evidenced by raised levels of LPO and nitrite concentration, and depletion of antioxidant levels. It also produced a loss of neuronal cells in the striatal region. Treatment with COE significantly attenuated behavioral alterations, oxidative damage and striatal neuronal loss in 3-NP-treated animals. The present study shows that COE is protective against 3-NP-induced neurotoxicity in rats. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and estrogenic properties of COE may be responsible for its neuroprotective action.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Body Weight; Calendula; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Flowers; Huntington Disease; Locomotion; Maze Learning; Nitro Compounds; Plant Extracts; Propionates; Rats; Rats, Wistar

In this study it was determined that a Calendula officinalis water extract can reduce the immune response to three different viruses in broiler chickens, associated with improvement in body weights.. The experiment was conducted on broiler chickens divided into two groups of 105 birds each. The first group received a Calendula officinalis water extract orally, while the second group received drinking water only. All birds in the two groups were similarly exposed to three different live vaccine viruses. Quantitative assessment of humoral immunity to each of the 3 viruses and records of bursal and thymus weight indices were taken. Performance, as observed in weight records at 21 and 41 days of age, feed conversion, and% mortality up to market age, was also evaluated.. There was a reduction in immune response to IB virus at 42 days of age, to ND virus at 29 and 42 days of age, and to IBD virus at 14, 29, and 42 days of age in the Calendula officinals-treated birds in comparison with controls. This immune reduction in Calendula officinalis-treated birds was associated with insignificant reduction in the bursal weight index at 42 days of age and an improvement in mean weights at 21 and 41 days of age; the feed conversion and mortality rates were similar in the two groups (P>0.05).. Calendula officinalis had an immunomodulation effect against three different live viruses in broiler chickens.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Bursa of Fabricius; Calendula; Chickens; Homeopathy; Immunity; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Poultry Diseases; Thymus Gland; Viral Vaccines