Evaluation of immunostimulatory and immunotherapeutic effects of tropical mushroom (Lentinus edodes) against eimeriasis in chicken.

Mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) were processed for hot water (HWE), methanolic (ME), and polysaccharide (PSE) extracts. Polysaccharides were isolated through ion exchange (DEAE cellulose) and size exclusion (Sephadex G-100) chromatography. Monosaccharides including maltose (0.282%), glucose (0.113%), and mannose (0.451%) were identified, qualitatively and quantitatively, from the isolated polysaccharides through high-performance liquid chromatography. The whole study was divided into two experiments. Experiment 1 was meant for the evaluation of HWE and ME; whereas, experiment 2 was meant for the evaluation of PSE for immunostimulatory and immunotherapeutic activities. The cellular and humoral immune responses were demonstrated through lymphoproliferative response to phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) and anti-body response to sheep red blood cells (SRBCs), respectively. The immunotherapeutic effects of these extracts were demonstrated against eimeriasis in terms of lesion scoring, oocysts per gram of droppings, and percent protection. Cell-mediated immune responses observed at 24, 48, and 72 h post-PHA-P injection were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in chickens administered with any of the three extracts (PSE, ME, and HWE), when compared with the controls. Humoral immune response in terms of anti-SRBCs anti-body titers was also observed higher in chickens administered with mushroom extracts. In the challenge experiment, significantly higher (P < 0.05) OPG and lesion scores were observed in controls as compared to the groups administered with mushroom extracts (HWE, ME, and PSE). Significantly higher (P < 0.05) percent protection against eimeriasis was observed in all groups administered with different extracts of L. edodes as compared to controls. In conclusion, L. edodes extracts showed immunostimulatory potential which persisted against eimeriasis in chicken.

Evaluation of Saccharum officinarum L. bagasse-derived polysaccharides as native immunomodulatory and anticoccidial agents in broilers.

Coccidiosis is one of the most important protozoal diseases of the poultry industry, inflicting heavy economic losses in the form of high mortality and morbidity in affected birds. Under these circumstances, the development of nonchemical consumer-friendly strategies for its effective control is of paramount importance. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) bagasse-derived polysaccharides as native immunomodulatory and anticoccidial agents in commercial broilers. Polysaccharides were recovered from sugarcane bagasse (PSCB) and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Five different sugars including melezitose, maltose, glucose, mannose, and fructose were detected in hydrolyzed solution of PSCB. The isolated PSCB were orally administered to the broilers in three graded doses ranging from 10 to 50mg/kg of body weight/day for 3 consecutive days, i.e., fifth through seventh days of life. Results showed significantly enhanced (p<0.05) lymphoproliferative and humoral responses to T-cell mitogen (PHA-P) and sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) in PSCB-administered chickens. In a challenge experiment, percent protection and daily weight gains were significantly higher (p<0.05), whereas mean oocyst counts and lesion scores were lower (p<0.05) in PSCB-administered chickens as compared to control. ELISA showed that PSCB significantly enhanced (p<0.05) antibody titers against the Eimeria species used for the induction of infection in chickens of PSCB-administered and control groups. In conclusion, PSCB showed the potential to modulate the immune responses in industrial broiler chickens with subsequent protection against coccidial infection.