ABSTRACT
Satureja hortensis is a popular herb in most regions of the world with leaves used as seasoning. Evidence shows that this plant contains phenolic components such as thymol and carvacrol with a relatively wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity. This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of S. hortensis plant powder as an alternative to antimicrobial growth promoters in broiler diets. The plant was bought in sufficient quantity from the district of Yasouj, Iran and was dried and ground into powder. A total of 140 unsexed 1-day-old Arbor Acers breed broiler chicks were housed and fed a starter diet up to 18 days of age. The birds were then randomly divided into two groups and reared under similar conditions. Chickens received either normal grower [from 18 to 35 days of age] and finisher [from 36 to 50 days of age] diets without S. hortensis [group I] or a similar diet containing one percent plant powder [group II]. Statistical comparison of average body weights at various time intervals showed that chickens in group II [1930 +/- 29 g, n=63] were significantly [P<0.05] heavier than the birds in the control group [1837 +/- 25 g, n=62]. The average body weight of males in each group [2075 +/- 42 g, n=20 and 2143 +/- 40 g, n=22 for groups I and II, respectively] was also greater than those of the females [1724 +/- 34 g, n=42 and 1808 +/- 30 g, n=41 for groups I and II, respectively]. Although feed conversion ratio was slightly less in group II [1.95], it was not substantially different from that in group I [2.02]. It is concluded that S. hortensis might be a potential growth promoter in poultry
ABSTRACT
Aspirin has been shown to increase the rate of urinary excretion of tetracycline in humans. To understand the mechanisms involved in this drug interaction, the effect of aspirin on the kinetics of tetracycline was investigated in sheep. Tetracycline was administered intravenously in six mixed-breed sheep at various stages: first, tetracycline alone; second, immediately after intravenous injection of salicylic acid and third, three hours following oral administration of tetracycline. Blood samples were collected during 6 hours after administration of tetracycline followed by the separation of sera. Tetracycline content of each sample was assayed using fluorescence spectroscopy. The concentration of tetracycline in the first blood sample was higher when tetracycline was administered alone compared with those given after oral aspirin or with salicylic acid. Serum tetracycline concentration was more rapidly approached to the minimum when it was administered in conjunction with salicylic acid. In addition, the area under the curve for serum tetracycline concentration versus time [AUC] was smaller compared to when tetracycline was administered alone. In contrast, when aspirin was given orally prior to the intravenous administration of tetracycline, the rate of decline in serum tetracycline concentration was less and AUC was higher compared to when it was injected alone. As the underlying mechanism[s] will have pharmacokinetics impact, which may be important in clinical pharmacology point of view, further in vivo and in vitro studies should be carried out to elucidate the exact nature of the interaction between these drugs