The Synergistic Effects of Combined Use of Mentha longifolia, Thymus carmanicus, and Trachyspermum copticum on Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, and Expression of Key Immune Genes in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Medicinal plants exhibit remarkable positive effects on different aspects of fish physiology. This study aimed to evaluate the possible impact of a combination of plants (Mentha longifolia, Thymus carmanicus, and Trachyspermum copticum) on growth performance, immune responses and key immune gene expression of rainbow trout. For this purpose, four diets were designed, including zero, 0.25, 0.5, and 1% of a mixture of plants per kg of diet, representing dietary treatments of control, T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Two hundred forty fish (weighing 23.11 ± 0.57 g) were fed 3% of body weight twice a day for 45 days. The results showed that growth parameters of weight gain (except for T1) and FCR were significantly improved in fish receiving all levels of plants, with T3 showing the best growth results. Digestive enzymes activities were notably increased in T1 and T2 compared to the control. Stress biomarkers (glucose and cortisol) were significantly decreased in T1 and T2, while T3 was not significantly different from the control. Immunological responses were significantly improved in T2, while T1 andT3 did not show a statistical difference in terms of lysozyme activity. Catalase activity was noticeably decreased in T1, although superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde were highest in T2. Immune-related genes were significantly up-regulated in T3 compared to other treatments. Also, antioxidant enzyme coding genes were strongly up-regulated in T2 and T3. Overall, the present results suggest that 1% inclusion of the mixture of M. longifolia, T. carmanicus, and T. copticum (T2) can be used to improve the growth and immunity of rainbow trout.

The Chemical Composition and Anti-mycobacterial Activities of Trachyspermum copticum and Pelargonium graveolens Essential Oils

Background: Microbial resistance to antibiotics and their adverse effects related to these antibiotics are a matter of global public health in the 21th century. The emergence of drug-resistant strains, has gained the interest of the scientists to discover new antimicrobial agents from the essential oil of medicinal plants. Methods: Anti-mycobacterial effects of Trachyspermum copticum and Pelargonium graveolens essential oils were determined against multi-drug resistant clinical strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium fortuitum and standard strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv by a Broth micro-dilution method. Pelargonium graveolens plant named Narmada was discovered by Kulkarni R.N et al. (Patent ID, USPP12425P2) and a formulation comprising thymol obtained from Trachyspermum is useful in the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections (Patent ID, US6824795B2). The chemical composition of hydro-distilled essential oils was determined by GC and GC-MS. Results: Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for T. copticum essential oil against tested isolates were ranged from 19.5 µg/mL to 78 µg/mL. The least minimum inhibitory concentration of P. graveolens extract against M. Kansasii and MDR-TB was 78 µg/ml. Conclusion: The results of the present research introduced T. copticum and P. graveolens essential oils as a remarkable natural anti-mycobacterial agent, but more pharmacological studies are required to evaluate their efficacy in animal models.

In vitro Plantlet Regeneration from Callus Culture of Trachyspermum copticum

The effect of explant sources and plant growth regulators on callus induction and plantlet regeneration of Trachyspermum copticum were explored. Different explants including hypocotyl, cotyledonary node and leaf were cultured on MS supplemented with different combinations and concentrations of plant growth regulators including 2,4‐D (0.2‐3 0.5 mg/l), NAA (2 mg/l), BAP (1‐3 mg/l), Kn (0.5 mg/l) and IAA (0.8 mg/l). The best response for callus induction (100%) as well as quality was observed from cotyldonary node segments cultured on MS supplemented with 2, 4‐D at 1 mg/l in combination with Kn at 0.5 mg/l. Calli derived from various explants were subcultured on shoot induction media with different compositions and concentrations of medium. MS without any plant growth regulator promoted the highest frequency of shoot regeneration (100%) and also mean number of developed shoots per explants (3.8) showed the same result. Regenerated shoots were then rooted on three‐fourth strength MS with 75% efficiency after 30 days.Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 27(1): 13-20, 2017 (June)