Immunomodulatory effects of indigenous herbal feed additives on innate immunity of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila

Shivam Pandey; Gajender Singh; Nitish Bansal; Rajender Kumar Gupta; Ashutosh Lowanshi; Satendra Singh; Domendra Dhruve; Manoj Kumar

doi:10.17017/j.fish.1297

Shivam Pandey Department of Aquatic Animal Health Management, College of Fisheries Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125004, Haryana, India
Gajender Singh Department of Zoology, College of Basic Science & Humanities, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125004, Haryana, India
Nitish Bansal Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125004, Haryana, India
Rajender Kumar Gupta Department of Zoology, College of Basic Science & Humanities, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125004, Haryana, India
Ashutosh Lowanshi Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries Science and Research Centre, Etawah, CSA University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur 208002, Uttar Pradesh, India
Satendra Singh Department of Aquatic Animal Health Management, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai 400061, Maharashtra, India
Domendra Dhruve Department of Fish Harvest and Post harvest technology, LSPN, College of Fisheries Kawardha, Dau shri Vasudev Chandrakar Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya, Durg 491995, Chhattisgarh, India
Manoj Kumar Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Basic Science & Humanities, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125004, Haryana, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17017/j.fish.1297

Keywords: common carp, growth, haematology, immunomodulatory, neem, tulsi

Abstract

The increasing incidence of bacterial diseases in aquaculture necessitates the development of sustainable immunostimulatory strategies as alternatives to antibiotics. The present study evaluated the immunomodulatory and growth-promoting effects of indigenous herbal feed additives on common carp (Cyprinus carpio) challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. Fish were fed diets supplemented with neem (Azadirachta indica), tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), and their combination for 90 days under controlled conditions, followed by bacterial challenge. Hematological parameters, including hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) count, total leukocyte count (TLC), and packed cell volume (PCV), along with growth indices such as specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR), were evaluated. Results showed a significant improvement in hematological and immune parameters in all treated groups compared to control, with the combined supplementation (neem + tulsi) exhibiting the most pronounced effects. The highest Hb, RBC, TLC, and PCV values were observed in the combination group, indicating improved oxygen transport capacity and immune competence. Growth performance was also significantly improved, as indicated by higher SGR and weight gain and lower FCR. Following bacterial challenge, treated groups exhibited increased resistance and survival, confirming the protective role of herbal supplementation. The findings demonstrate that dietary inclusion of indigenous herbal additives, particularly in combination, effectively enhances innate immunity, hematological health, and growth performance in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). This study highlights the potential of phytogenic feed additives as eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives for disease management in aquaculture systems.

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