ABSTRACT
Fluconazole (FCZ), an antifungal from the azole family, causes several detrimental effects in fish. In recent times, there has been a notable surge in interest regarding the utilization of Moringa oleifera (Mo) as a dietary antioxidant. This research aimed to evaluate the potential protective effects of dietary Moringa oleifera (MO) against the adverse impacts of fluconazole in the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). The fish were allocated into four groups as follows: a control group fed a basal diet, an FCZ - exposed (200 ng/L) fed basal diet, 1% MO fed through basal diet, and an FCZ-exposed (200 ng/L) and 1% MO fed through basal diet fed group. The results showed that FCZ exposure decreased superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, and acetylcholine esterase levels. On the other hand, FCZ exposure increased malonaldehyde and cortisol levels as compared to control (P < 0.05). FCZ caused immunosuppressive effects in C. gariepinus as revealed by lower immunity indices (lysozyme and phagocytic activity and immunoglobulin level) and increased cytokine levels (IL-6 IL-1ß). Histological examination of the spleen from fish exposed to FCZ showed several splenic changes. We conclude that dietary MO supplementation has the potential to alleviate the oxidative stress, restore immune response balance, and mitigate histological damage induced by FCZ exposure, thus positioning MO as an immunostimulant in C. gariepinus when administered alongside FCZ.
