BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases widely occur through bacteria such as Salmonella spp. in different hosts such as domestic animals and human. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to isolate Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria from poultry feces and in vitro assessment of antimicrobial effects of 9 species of Zagros native medicinal plants. METHODS: Ethanol extracts of jooshir, shallots, Iranian eremurus, artichokes, sheng, amaranth, sorrel, oregano and harmel were extracted through rotary vacuum system. Furthermore, 12 strains of Salmonella Typhimurium were isolated from poultry feces in Sistan region. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of plant extracts were determined through micro dilution method. Sensitivity of different strains to antibiotics was tested through standard Kirby-Bauer diffusion disk methods. RESULTS: Salmonella Typhimurium strains are resistant to Penicillin (100%), Ampicillin (100%), Tetracycline (16.6%), Amikacin (8.3%) and Oxacillin (75.0%). Results of the antimicrobial assay have shown that extracts of amaranth, jooshir and artichokes had the highest MIC against Salmonella Typhimurium. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the current study showed that according to the antibiotic resistance of Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from poultry, antibiotic treatment, in particular with penicillin, ampicillin and oxacillin with the bacterium resistance of 75 to 100% would not be effective. In contrast, using plant ethanol extracts especially jooshir, amaranth and artichokes could be recommended as an alternative to conventional antibiotic treatments.

BACKGROUND: Zearalenone (ZEA) is a nonsteroidal estrogenic mycotoxin that is usually found in animal feed and causes disorder in genital organs activity. Most commercial adsorbents do not have ZEA absorbency and may have side effects on the animal performance. Therefore, the discovery and introduction of natural compounds are necessary to reduce ZEA. OBJECTIVES: The introduction of some medicinal plants to degrade ZEA in rumen fluid is the main objective of this study. METHODS: In the present study, essential oil and different extracts (methanol, n-hexane and ethyl-acetate) of seed of four medicinal plants belonging to Apiaceae family including coriander (Coriandrum sativum),Cumin (Cuminum cyminum), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and Persian hogweed (Heracleum persicum) were investigated to reduce ZEA in rumen fluid (0.4µg ZEA in ml 20% rumen fluid) at the ratio of essential oil/extract to toxin 125:1, 250:1 and 500:1 in 48h.The ZEA-content was extracted by the immunoaffinity column and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-FLD). RESULTS: The results showed that essential oil of coriander (contains 76.5% of linalool), n-hexane extract of coriander and methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Persian hogweed exhibit acceptable efficiency (more than 30%) in ZEA degradation. ZEA evaluation in the presence of various concentrations of promising essential oils and extracts exhibited that the essential oil of coriander has the highest effect to remove ZEA from rumen fluid with 79.5% after 48 h. The n-hexane extract of coriander at the rate of 500:1 caused 67.8% and 74.2% reduction in ZEA content after 36 and 48 h incubation time respectively and located at the next statistical level. In addition, methanol and ethyl- acetate extracts of Persian hogweed at the rate of 500:1 reduced 46% and 41.8% ZEA content in rumen fluid respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Coriander and Persian hogweed are introduced as promising botanical additive sources to remove ZEA in animal feed.

This survey evaluated mombin leaves (Spondias mombin L.) decoction efficiency as an antiseptic during post-surgery period on cats submitted to orchiectomy and ovariosalpingohisterectomy. For this purpose, 45 castrated mongrels cats were divided into three groups, the first group as a positive control using 0.5% chlorhexidine-alcohol solution, the second a negative control group using sterile distilled water and, finally, the test group using mombin leaves decocted with a concentration of 100 mg/mL. All animals, independent of age and sex, had visibly healed in most cases in a similar time. Animals treated with mombin leaves decoction presented a significant reduction of bacterial growth. In addition, the animals treated in the test group had better surgical wound healing. All isolated bacterial strains presented inhibition halo for chlorhexidine and for Spondias mombin L. Thus, the decoction of Spondias mombin L. leaves proved antiseptic efficacy in the surgical wounds of cats submitted to orchiectomy and ovariosalpingohisterectomy.

Objective: This study aimed to make an inventory of animal diseases that affect milk production and the plants locally used against these diseases. Materials and methods: A survey was carried out from April to August 2013 in 41 farms in department of Collines, 40 in Alibori, 40 in Borgou and 21 in Mono using questionnaires. SAS software was used with Chi-square test and bilateral Z test. Results: The study revealed twelve main pathologies that limit milk production. Among these pathologies, foot-and-mouth disease and trypanosomiasis were the most mentioned pathologies. To fight these pathologies, 60 medicinal plants of 32 families were recorded. The most cited families were Leguminosae (31.67%), Combretaceae (6.67%), Meliaceae (5%) and Rubiaceae (5%), whereas the predominant species used by animal keepers were Khaya senagalensis, Vitellaria paradoxa, Parkia biglobosa and Securidaca longipedunculata. The 60 listed species were used in 85 recipes which varied from one department and farmer to another. The most used organs were plant barks (41.06%) and roots (31.13%), while the most common methods of preparation were decoction (37.5%), maceration (32.5%) and powders (22.5%). Oral route was the main route of administration.Conclusion: The inventory has shown that the important pathologies are foot-and-mouth disease and trypanosomiasis. This needs immediate actions. Barks and roots were the commonly employed plant organs used as infusion (decoction and maceration) and powder that farmers administer orally to animals. The harvest did not require a special season or time. Furthermore, farmers inherited most of these recipes from their parents and they use them because of their effectiveness. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(1.000): 1-14]

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of two medicinal plants: Echinacea Purpura and Star anise for treating and prevention of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in chickens via assessment of their immune stimulating effect in IBV challenged chicks. 160 one day old Cobb® unsexed broiler chicks with average body weight 46.3 g. Chicks were classified into 8 equal groups (20 of each). The 1st group served as a control negative, the 2nd group served as a control positive (infected with IBV virus at day 21, non- treated), the 3rd group received Echinacea from the 7th till 21st day and infected with IBV virus at day 21, the 4th group received Star anise from the 7th till 21st day and infected with IBV virus at day 21, the 5th group received both Echinacea and Star anise from the 7th till 21st day and infected with IBV virus at day 21, the 6th group infected with IBV virus at day 21, then received Echinacea from the 21st till 42nd, the 7th group infected with IBV virus at day 21then received star anise from the 21st till 42nd, and the 8thgroup infected with IBV virus at day 21, then received both Echinacea and Star anise from the 21st till 42nd. Estimation of the collected samples (blood and sera) were made at different periods (7th, 14th, 28th and 35th days) to determine the effects of the used drugs on some hematological, and biochemical parameters. In addition, tissue specimens from liver and trachea were taken for histopathological examination. The obtained results evoked a significant increase in WBCs, heterophiles, lymphocytes, monocytes and esinophils counts in the groups treated with Echinacea and star anise compared with that of the control group. Serum ALT, AST, serum urea and creatinine results revealed a significant increase in groups treated with Echinacea and star anise compared with the control group, while GSH, SOD and NO revealed decrease in groups treated with Echinacea and star anise compared with the control group.  It could be concluded that the use of Echinacea and star anise as antivirals is positively beneficial in prevention and treatment of infectious bronchitis virus in poultry. Moreover, the use of the combination of both plants when used together have  more powerful effects in the prevention and treatment of IBV in poultry.

A 2-year-old male stray dog was found to be bleeding from the penile sheath for two months. Physical examination by penile extrusion revealed a severe proliferative and hemorrhagic mass at the bulbar glandis. A natural product ointment was applied in an aerosol spray weekly to evaluate the progress of tumour regression. The reduction in size of the mass at the bulbar glandis was observed within seven days of treatment with the spray of a natural product, namely a liquid mixture of Catharanthus roseus and Cynodon dactylon. Complete resolution of tumor mass was achieved in 4 weeks. The bleeding from the mass was halted within 24 hours of first sprayingwhich exhibited a potent anti-inflammatory effect of local herbs. This preliminary study was conducted to establish the potential use of herbal plants for routine non-invasive treatment of transmissible venereal tumor in a male dog.

A questionnaire survey was carried out to document traditional remedies used in the treatment of cattle wounds and myiasis in Amatola Basin. Eighty-three cattle farmers from nine villages were interviewed. The majority of respondents (67.9 %) use traditional remedies for treatment of these conditions. However, 25.9 % of them use a combination of traditional remedies with conventional medicines. The survey revealed that 13 medicinal plants belonging to 11 families were used. Aloe ferox, Prunus persica and Phytolacca heptandra were, however, the most commonly used. Leaves are the most frequently used plant part, often prepared as an infusion. Other non-plant remedies used include disinfectants, antiseptics as well as diesel and petrol. Manual removal of maggots from wounds was also practise and treatment is usually continued until the wound heals.

Medicinal plants play a crucial role in the treatment and prevention of steroid- induced hepatopathy. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the ability of some herbes to reduce the steroid- induced hepatopathy. Twenty mongrel dogs were included in the experimental study. Dogs were divided into four groups each group consisting of five animals; Group I received dexamethasone, Group II received dexamethasone and concentrated milk thistle (silymarin), Group III received dexamethasone and L-carnitine, Group IV received dexamethasone and liquorice powder. Clinical, blood samples, ultrasound were done on days 0, 7, 14 and 21. Haemato- biochemical analysis  indicated a significant increase in hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and hematocrit value, a significant decrease in white blood cells count, a significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and a significant increase in total protein and albumin levels in silymarin treated Group II, L-carnitine treated Group III and liquorice treated Group IV compared to Group I. Ultrasonography revealed an increase in echogenicity of liver parenchyma in hepatopathic induced dogs and returned to nearly normal in Group II and Group III. In conclusion, the medicinal plants have a potential effect in treatment and prevention of steroid induced hepatopathy.

Achyranthes japonica Nakai (A. japonica) is a medicinal herb found widely distributed throughout Korea. The biological activities of A. japonica are well-documented and include anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and immunity enhancement. The objective of the present study was to investigate the immune-related activities of A. japonica extract in dogs. The extract was acquired by ethanol extraction and purified by filtration. To examine the effect of A. japonica extract on immune cell viability, human lymphocytes, such as Jurkat T-cells and Ramos B-cells, were exposed to the extract. After treatment with the extract, the number of Ramos B-cells was increased, whereas Jurkat T-cells remained unaffected. Griess assay revealed decreased nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage Raw 264.7 cells after exposure to A. japonica extract. To evaluate the in-vivo effect in dogs, feed containing A. japonica extract was provided to 8 dogs for 2 months. Blood samples were collected before, during, and after consumption of the feed. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from the blood samples and the number of T-cells and B-cells were assessed using flow cytometry with anti-dog fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated CD3 and anti-dog phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated CD21 antibodies, respectively. We observed a significant increase in the average number of B-cells in the PBMCs during ingestion of the feed containing A. japonica. In addition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed a decrease in the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, in 3 out of 8 dogs and increased levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), an anti-inflammatory cytokine, in 4 out of 8 dogs. Taken together, we believe that these changes indicate that A. japonica extract is beneficial in improving the immunity of dogs by stimulating B-cells and inducing production of anti-inflammatory responses.

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease that is common in the world. Because of the difficulties in the treatment and control of the disease, the disease has gained popularity among researchers. Today, however, no vaccine has been developed for human protection. Considering the fact that the vector can survive in a wide ecosystem and the disease can be detected in many mammals such as humans, dogs, rodents, prevention from leishmaniasis and treatment of the disease require a combined intervention. The toxic effects of the drugs used in the treatment of leishmaniasis, the expensive treatment and the resistance of the parasite to the drug have led to the research of alternative treatment methods. This review is intended to provide an overview of leishmaniasis alternative treatment practices and to guide new researchs.