SYNERGISTIC IMMUNOLOGICAL EFFECT OF ECHINACEA
PURPUREA WITH HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS ON OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS

Ahmed Mohamed Abel-Wahab

Fish Diseases Department, Central Laboratory For Aquaculture Research, Agricultural Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt.

Received 5/ 1/ 2011 Accepted 2/ 3/ 2011

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of administration of
Echinacea

purpurea with Hydrastis canadensis as immunostimulants preparation in the form of a feed supplement on Oreochromis niloticus. The results showed effective protection against experimental Aeromonas hydrophila infection. The obtained PCV in fish treated with 1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:2 of Echinacea
purpurea and Hydrastis canadensis extract were 26.10, 27.32, 27.62 respectively and
24.8 in the control group. Also, there was significant increasing in monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils in the treated groups. Hemagglutination inhibition test and
slide agglutination assay were done for measuring satiability of produced specific antibodies against inoculated challenge bacteria. The obtained cut point by hemagglutination inhibition test was 1/320 at first measuring and 1/160 after 15 days interval in 2nd and 3rd groups while was 1/160 and 1/80 in the 1st group. While in the control was 1/80 and 1/40. The results of slide agglutination assay were confirmed that of hemagglutination inhibition test. The body gain and the specific growth rates in group 2 &3 were significantly higher than those of the group 1 and control group. The results of this study showed that the continuous oral administration combination of goldenseal with echinacea during the rearing period enhanced specific and non specific immune response furthermore increased growth rates.