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New dimension of medicinal plants as animal feed

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Murtaza Ali Tipu at Buffalo Research Institute Pattoki
Murtaza Ali Tipu
  • Buffalo Research Institute Pattoki
Muhammad Saleem Akhtar at Bahauddin Zakariya University
Muhammad Saleem Akhtar
M. I. ANJUM1 AND M. L. RAJA
M. I. ANJUM1 AND M. L. RAJA
M. I. ANJUM1 AND M. L. RAJA
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The medicinal plants and herbs have been used for many years in the treatment of various diseases in animals and human beings. Now-a-days, utilization of these medicinal plants is increasing. These are used in animal feed as the growth promoters. Due to prohibition of most of the antimicrobial growth promoters in animal feed because of their residual effects, plant extracts are becoming more popular. They act as antibacterial, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antifungal, analgesic, insecticidal, anticoccidial and growth promoters. These plant extracts compete with the synthetic drugs. Majority of medicinal plants do not have the residual effects. Azadiracht indica, Zizyphus vulgaris, Ocimum gratissimum and Atlanta monophylla have the strong antibacterial activity, whereas ocimum plant has strong antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antifungal, analgesic and antipyretic properties. Leaves of Azadirachta indica are used for feeding and reducing the parasitic load of animals. The fruit of Azadirachta indica also has the anticoccidial activity for poultry.
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EXTENSION ARTICLE Pakistan Vet. J., 2006, 26(3): 144-148.
144
NEW DIMENSION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS AS ANIMAL FEED
M. A. TIPU, M. S. AKHTAR, M. I. ANJUM1 AND M. L. RAJA
Buffalo Research Institute, Pattoki (Kasur) and 1Animal Nutrition Programme,
Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan
ABSTRACT
The medicinal plants and herbs have been used for many years in the treatment of various diseases in
animals and human beings. Now-a-days, utilization of these medicinal plants is increasing. These are used
in animal feed as the growth promoters. Due to prohibition of most of the antimicrobial growth promoters
in animal feed because of their residual effects, plant extracts are becoming more popular. They act as
antibacterial, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antifungal, analgesic, insecticidal, anticoccidial and growth
promoters. These plant extracts compete with the synthetic drugs. Majority of medicinal plants do not have
the residual effects. Azadiracht indica, Zizyphus vulgaris, Ocimum gratissimum and Atlanta monophylla
have the strong antibacterial activity, whereas ocimum plant has strong antioxidant, anticarcinogenic,
antifungal, analgesic and antipyretic properties. Leaves of Azadirachta indica are used for feeding and
reducing the parasitic load of animals. The fruit of Azadirachta indica also has the anticoccidial activity for
poultry.
Key words: Medicinal plants, animals, antibacterial, growth promoters.
INTRODUCTION
Plants are the oldest friends of mankind. They not
only provide food and shelter but also serve humanity by
preventing and curing different ailments. Herbs and
spices have always been helpful to cure diseases. In
modern animal feeding, they are forgotten because of use
of antimicrobial growth promoters (AGP). But due to the
prohibition of most of AGP, plant extracts have gained
interest in animal feed strategies (Charis, 2000). The risk
of the presence of antibiotic residues in milk and meat
and their harmful effects on human health have led to
their prohibition for use in animal feed in the European
Union (Cardozo et al., 2004). Many plants also produce
secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds,
essential oils and sarasaponins (Chesson et al., 1982;
Wallace et al., 1994; Kamel, 2001)
The practice of herbal medicine dates back to the
very earliest period of known human history. There is
evidence of herbs having been used in the treatment of
diseases and for revivitalising body system in almost all
ancient civilizations, the Egyptian, the Chinese and
even Greek and Roman civilizations (Aftab and Sial,
1999). Kar et al. (2004) have reported that several plant
products are claimed and proved to possess analgesic
and antipyretic properties. Majority of herbal plants are
safe and economical. Generally, plant extracts have no
problem of drug resistance.
Herbs normally used are picorhiza, garlic, cloves,
slippery elm, neem fruit and leaves, sophora flavescens,
nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, peppermint, sage, thyme,
mustard and fenugreek. These plants are used as
digestive stimulants, antidiarrhoic, antiseptic, anti-
inflammatory, antiparasitic and appetite stimulants in
human beings as well as animals (Table 1).
Antimicrobial activity
Earlier studies indicate that many plant extracts
have antimicrobial activity. According to Almas (1999),
the extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem plant)
chewing sticks are effective against Streptococcus
mutans and Streptococcus faecalis. Chewing sticks are
recommended as oral hygiene tools for health
promotion in developing countries.
Hayat et al. (2004) studied the in vitro
antimicrobial activity of Zizyphus vulgaris root extract
against both gram positive and gram negative
organisms using Staphylococcus aureus and
Escherichia coli, respectively. Three different concen-
trations of the ethanolic extract of the roots were used
and the activity compared with the standard antibiotics.
All the concentrations showed excellent inhibitory
effect on the growth of gram positive and gram
negative microorganisms. It is evident, however, that in
practice most individual herb or spice extracts must be
included at a high concentration to observe effects
comparable to those of antibiotics. This is only logical
as many extracts contain a multitude of active
substances. The Origanum vulgare is described as
containing more than 30 antibacterial chemicals.
Akilandeswari et al. (2003) tested aqueous neem
extract prepared from the Azadirachta indica bark
against the strain of bacteria Proteus vulgaris and fungi
Candida albicans, to examine its efficacy as an
antimicrobial agent. The growth inhibitory property of
the aqueous extract was recorded in terms of zones of
inhibition measured in 24 hours growth cultures using
disc plate technique. The growth of Proteus vulgaris
and Candida albicans was inhibited remarkably due to
aqueous neem bark extract. Out of these two organisms
tested in the experiment, the bacteria Proteus vulgaris
Pakistan Vet. J., 2006, 26(3): 144-148.
145
showed more susceptibility to neem bark extracts in
comparison with fungi Candida albicans.
Antioxidant properties
Oxygen is one of the most important element for
life, growth and metabolism of living organisms. Auto-
oxidation process results in the destruction of important
molecules in diet formulations and also damages
cellular tissues in living organisms. Therefore, auto-
oxidation results in the formation of reactive oxygent
species and causes different kinds of diseases.
Flavonoids and phenoic acids are widely present in
Table 1: Herbal Plant extracts and their multiple medicinal properties
English
name Botanical
name Useful
part Active substance Medicinal properties
A) Aromatic Species
Nutmeg Myristica
fragrans Seed Sabinene Digestion stimulant, antidiarrhoic
Cinnamon Cinnamomum
zeylanicum Bark Ammameldehyde Appetite and digestion stimulant,
antiseptic
Clove Syzygium
aromaticum Cloves Eugenol Appetite and digestion stimulant,
antiseptic
Caradamon Elettaria
caramomum Seed Cinook Appetite and digestion stimulant
Coriander Coriandum
sativum L. Leaves Unalol Digestion stimulant
Cumin Cuminum
cyminum Seed Cuminaldehyde
Digestive, galactagauge
Anise Illicum verum Fruit Anethole Digestion stimulant, galactagauge
Celery Apium graveolens Fruit,
leaves Phtalides Appetite and digestion stimulant
Parsley Pelroselinum
crispum Leaves Apiol Appetite and digestion stimulant,
Antiseptic
Fenugreek Trigonella
foenum-graecum Seed Trigonelline Appetite stimulant
B) Pungent species
Capsicum Capsicum annum
longum Fruit Capsaicin Antidiarrhoic, anti-inflammatory,
stimulant tonic
Pepper Piper nigrum Fruit Piperine Digestion stimulant
Horseradish Cochlearia
armoracia Root Allyl
isothiocyanate Appetite stimulant
Mustard Brassica spp. Seed Allyl
isothiocyanate Digestion stimulant
Ginger Zingiber
officinale Rhizom Zingerole Gastric stimulant
C) Aromatic herbs and spices
Garlic Allium tuberosum Bulb Allicin Digestion stimulant, antiseptic
Rosemary Aniba rosaeodora Leaves Cineole Digestion stimulant, antiseptic,
antioxidant
Thyme Thymus vulgaris Whole
plant Thymol Digestion stimulant, antiseptic,
antioxidant
Sage Salvia apiana Leaves Cineole Digestion stimulant, antiseptic,
carminative
Bay laurel Laurus nobilis Leaves Cineole Appetite and digestion stimulant,
antiseptic
Peppermint Mentha piperita Leaves Menthol Appetite and digestion stimulant,
antiseptic
Artemisia Artemisia annua Leaves Artemisin Anticoccidial
Neem Azadirachta
indica Leaves,
Bark, seed Azadirachtin,
salanin,numbin,
meliantrial
Antiviral, antiseptic, fungicidal
Source: Charis (2000)
Pakistan Vet. J., 2006, 26(3): 144-148.
146
higher plants. These compounds are effective against
the deleterious effect of reactive oxygent species.
According to Middleton and Kandaswami (1993), some
compounds found in Ocimum plant have been reported
to possess strong antioxidant activity. Cinnamon has
antioxidant characteristics (Middleton and
Kandaswami, 1993). Cinnamon extracts show
antioxidant activity which is comparable to synthetic
antioxidants, beta hydroxy toulene.
Anticarcinogenic activity
It is reported that leaves of Ocimum tenuiflorum
possess anticancerous properties. Samresh et al. (2003)
found that Ocimum suppressed benzo pyrine induced
chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow and elevated
glutathione (GSH) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)
activities in liver of mice. They also reported a
suppressing effect of the plant on chemically induced
hepatomas in rats and tumors in the fore-stomach of
mice.
Studies in mouse have also indicated the presence
of flavonoids in Ocimum leaf extract. Flavonoid-
enriched diet has a preventive effect on cancer,
coronary heart disease and strokes. Thus, Ocimum can
play a definite role in developing a cancer preventive
drug.
Analgesic and antipyretic activities
Godhwani and Godhwani (1987) conducted studies
by using methanol extract and aqueous suspension of
leaves of Ocimum tenuiflorum on albino rats. The
methanol extract (in doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg)
showed analgesic activity in mice as evaluated by the
mean time taken to withdraw tail when brought in
contact with the hot plate. Methanol extract had more
analgesic activity than the aqueous suspension. The
analgesic activity was attributed to amino acids
resembling creatine and isoleucine, which have been
reported to be analgesic.
Insecticidal properties
Some herbs, especially neem, have strong
insecticidal activity. The Meliaceae, especially
Azadirachta indica (Indian neem tree) contains at least
35 biologically active principles (Mulla, 1999).
Azadirachtin is the predominant insecticidal active
ingredient in the seed, leaves and other parts of the
neem tree. Azadirachtin and other compounds in neem
products exhibit various modes of action against insects
such as antifeedancy, growth regulation, fecundity
suppression and sterilization, oviposition repellency or
attractancy, changes in biological fitness and blocking
fitness, and blocking development of vector-borne
pathogens. Some of these bioactivity parameters of new
products have been investigated at least in some species
of insects of medical and veterinary importance, such as
mosquitoes, flies, triatomines, cockroaches, fleas, bees
and others. Neem works as a repellent by disrupting the
appetite of insects and diminishing their urge to
reproduce.
The greatest advantage to pest control with neem is
the fact that it does not harm useful insects such as
ladybirds, wasps and earwigs. Additionally, neem is
benign to spiders and plant pollinators such as bees and
wasps. Unlike most chemical pesticides that contain
poisonous groups of nitrogen, chlorine, phosphorus and
sulpher in their molecules, and are potentially
hazardous, neem has been found to have little or no
mammalian toxicity. Furthermore, in all scientific trials
conducted to date, neem deters insects as effectively
and economically as DDT and other synthetic
pesticides
Anticoccidial activity
The herbs especially Azadirahta indica, Hobrrhena
antidysentrica, Barberis aristata, Embelia ribes, Acorus
calamus and Artemisia annua have strong anticocidial
activity. Zycox, a herbal product of India containing
Hobrhena antidyseatria, Barberis aristata, Embelia
ribes and Acorus calamus, is used as a prophylactic
measure against coccidiosis. Guha et al. (1991)
observed that Zycox treated birds showed 3% mortality
as compared to infected group. According to Singh et
al. (1991), Zycox at 0.3% in feed offers a convenient,
effective and economical indigenous alternative for
prophylactic medication against coccidial infection in
chicken. It causes least interference to the natural
development of immunity and is safe and not likely to
induce resistance.
Tipu et al. (2002) compared the anticoccidial
efficacy of salinomycin sodium and neem fruit in
boilers. They concluded that the addition of 0.3%
ground neem fruit in boiler feed has tremendous
efficiency in combating coccidiosis as compared to
salinomycin sodium (Table 2). They reported that neem
fruit had compound margosate, responsible for the
break down of Eimeria life cycle.
Similarly, Allen et al. (1997) investigated the effect
of feeding dried Artemesia annua leaves and its
Table 2: Oocyst count/gram of faeces and mortality in
broilers treated with different preparations
Groups Treatments Mortality
(%) Total
oocyst
count
A Infected + Kokcisan 2.63 4350
B Infected + neem
(0.01%) 2.63 2900
C Infected + neem
(0.02%) 2.70 1500
D Infected + neem
(0.03%) 0.00 1250
E Infected + non
medicated control 12.82 20050
F Infected + medicated
control 0.00 0
Source: Tipu et al. (2002)
Pakistan Vet. J., 2006, 26(3): 144-148.
147
components to birds infected with Eimeria acervulina,
E. tennela or E. maxima. When fed at a dose rate of 1%
for 5 weeks prior to infection, significant protection
was noted for both E. tenella and E. acervulina.
Artemesia contains artemisinin which protected weight
gains and reduced oocyst yields for both E. tenella and
E. acervulina. According to Youn-Hee Jeong et al.
(2001), the sophora flavescens extract was the most
effective for survival rates, controlling bloody diarrhoea
symptoms, lesion scores, body weight gains and oocyst
excretion in the faeces
Weight gain and feed consumption
Previous literature shows that use of herbs in
animal feed improved the weight gain of animals.
These can be used simultaneously for treating parasitic
diseases as well as increasing the weight gain and act as
growth promoters.
Kudke et al. (1999) fed calves on green fodder
supplemented with or without powdered neem leaves
(0, 5 or 10 gm daily) for 12 weeks. Faecal samples were
examined fortnightly for coccidia, cestodes and
nematodes. Significant differences in growth rate were
observed between the treated and control groups. Daily
rate of growth was 0.268, 0.346 and 0.400 Kg for
groups treating with 0, 5 and 10 gm neem leaves daily,
while daily dry matter intake was 2.09, 2.14 and 2.21
kg, respectively. Inclusion of neem leaves powder
resulted in an increase in total feed intake by 5.7%. The
control group was more prone to parasite infections
compared with neem treated groups. Neem works as a
growth promoter by killing parasites that hinder the
growth of animal.
The mature tree of Azadirachta indica (Neem)
plant can produce 350 kg of leaves a year, which may
be used for feeding cattle during famines. After the oil
has been pressed out from the seeds of neem, the cake
is used as fertilizer but it can also be used as feed.
Kudke et al. (1999) concluded that upto 10% neem
cake may be included in concentrates for cattle and
upto 5% for poultry. Chemical composition and
digestibility of neem is shown in Table 3.
Hayat et al. (1996) studied comparative
prophylactic effects of indigenous preparations of bakin
(Melia azadarach) and kerala (Momordica charntia) in
comparison with the salinomycin against coccidiosis in
broiler chicks. Ninety day-old chicks were divided into
five groups (salinomycin, bakin, kerala, infected
untreated and uninfected untreated), each comprising of
18 birds. The chicks were inoculated with mixed
species of coccidia at the age of one month. The results
revealed higher (P<0.05) weight gain in the birds using
salinomycin and those of uninfected untreated groups.
Addition of salinomycin, bakin and kerala in the ration
markedly reduced the number of oocysts per gram of
faeces from 50,000 to 1730, 3323 and 3669,
respectively.
Mandal et al. (1992) studied the anticoccidial
efficacy of Zycox at three different dose levels (0.3,
0.45 and 0.6%) in feed against Eimeria necatrix
infection in broiler chicks. The performance index
clearly depicted its efficacy at these dose levels. The
efficacy was found to be higher in higher dose levels.
The effect of medication on the development of
immunity was also evaluated. The calculated immunity
index coupled with survival (%), mean weight gain (%)
and lesion score protection (%) conferred sufficient
justification to conclude that the product had no
interference with the development of immunity. The
results showed that Zycox was effective against E.
necatrix at all 3 dose levels.
Conclusion
Medicinal plants compete with the synthetic drugs.
As the world is becoming more advanced, new diseases
are emerging in animals and human beings by irrational
use of antibiotics and antimicrobial growth promoters.
Now it is the need of the hour to work more extensively
on the medicinal plants in the greater interest of
mankind
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Table 3: Chemical composition and digestibility of Azadirachta indica (as % DM)
Parameters DM CP CF Ash EE NFE Ca P
Neem leaves (India) 36.0 15.4 12.7 11.2 4.2 56.5 26.50 0.24
Neem leaves (Pak) 35.8 13.4 14.7 10.3 6.2 55.5 1.94 0.17
Neem cake (India) 43.1 17.1 28.2 15.4 2.3 37.3 1.38 0.12
Source: Kudke et al. (1999)
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... The effects of dried neem leaf powder feeding and the effect of dried neem leaf application in the litter might have synergized the reduction of OPG count in the treatment groups under study. The anticoccidial efficiency of neem in the current study is supported by the other studies which used neem as dried leaves (Tipun et al., 2006) [13] . The anticoccidial effect of neem may be ascribed to some bioactive chemicals such as azadirachtin which has a significant efficacy on viruses, fungal pathogens and protozoan parasites such as coccidian species (Biu et al., 2006) [2] . ...
... The effects of dried neem leaf powder feeding and the effect of dried neem leaf application in the litter might have synergized the reduction of OPG count in the treatment groups under study. The anticoccidial efficiency of neem in the current study is supported by the other studies which used neem as dried leaves (Tipun et al., 2006) [13] . The anticoccidial effect of neem may be ascribed to some bioactive chemicals such as azadirachtin which has a significant efficacy on viruses, fungal pathogens and protozoan parasites such as coccidian species (Biu et al., 2006) [2] . ...
... effect of neem leaf in EPG at day 7, 14, 21 and 28, respectively. Sujan et al. (2008) [13] stated that the efficacy of neem leaf to be 81 % at day 21 in goats. ...
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Article
  • Apr 2024
The extensive acceptance of traditional medicine as an alternative form of healthcare and the alarming increase in the incidence of new and re-emerging infectious diseases bring about the need to investigate new medicinal plants. Another concern was the increase resistance of the antibiotics in current clinical use. Anti-microbial agents are irrefutably one of the most important therapeutic discoveries of the 20th century. However, with the beginning of 'antibiotic era' barely five decades old, mankind is faced the global problem of emerging resistance in virtually all microbes. During the last decade, the use of traditional medicine has gained popularity around the world. Recently, the herbal medicines serve the health needs of about 80% of the world's population, especially for millions of people in the rural areas of developing countries. In recent years, many natural antibiotics have been in use in variety of infectious diseases, mostly bacterial and fungal. The increasing incidence of drug-resistant microorganisms is a big threat to successful therapy of microbial diseases. Therefore, there is an urgent need of the time to search new antimicrobial compounds characterized by diverse chemical structures and mechanisms of action. The use of plant compounds as antimicrobial agents is interesting strategy for discovering bioactive products that in upcoming future could become useful therapeutic tools. Thus, it is an important task for the researcher to find out alternative medicine against dreadful human pathogens. This review can help researchers to explore herbs to further extents to find out the alternatives against the drug resistant human pathogens.
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... They also provide oxygen needed for human respiration as well as providing raw materials for various industries [1]. Inaddition, plants help in the provision of shelter, and source of bioactive ingredients that has the potency to ght against human ailments [2]. ...
Antibacterial Study, Phytochemical Analysis and Ft-ir Characterization of Decarboxylated Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (Cnsl) From Cashew Nut Shell
Preprint
Full-text available
  • Mar 2025
The cashew nut shell is a viable agriculture waste due to its chemical constituents. The cashew nut shell was macerated with n-hexane for 72-hours to obtain cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). The CNSL obtained was subjected to decarboxylation reaction through heating at 140 o C for 2 hours. FTIR analysis was carried out on the decarboxylated CNSL which resulted into various peaks: 3362.1cm − 1 indicate medium O-H stretching, alcohol. 2926.0cm − 1 indicate O-H stretching, carboxylic acid. The peak at 1591.6cm − 1 indicate medium C = C stretching, aromatic ring stretch. Phytochemical screening was carried out on the decarboxylated CNSL using standard methods. The phytochemical screening result showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, and phenols. The antibacterial study was done using four bacterial isolates: E.coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Bacillus subtilis and Serratia marsecens. The result showed that decarboxylated CNSL was active against all the bacterial isolates studied at higher concentrations(100% and 75%).
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... These results agree with those in the study by Abdelhamid and Saleh (2015) who found that rabbit's diet containing sieving wastes of the Egyptian clover seeds significantly (p ≤ 0.01) achieved heavier body weight and daily body weight gain than that of the control rabbits fed soybean containing diet. In addition, the high nutrient content of protein, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins in the seeds may be linked to the enhanced litter weight and overall weight gain in litter-fed Fenugreek (Tipu et al. 2006;Dawood, Al-Deri, and Kareem 2015). The increased total body weight and TWG of the litters of treated groups reflect the increased profitability measures represented in total and net return, economic efficiency, and relative economic efficiency. ...
Productive, Reproductive, Behavioural, Gene Expression, Histological, and Economic Criteria of Feeding Fenugreek and Berseem Seeds as Alternative Protein Sources in New Zealand White Does Rabbits (Oryctolagus Cuniculus)
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2024
  • J ANIM PHYSIOL AN N
Feed cost represents about 70% of the total production costs of rabbit farms. There is little research on the usage of Berseem and Fenugreek seeds as substitutes for soybeans in rabbit diets. The current investigation was conducted to assess the influence of dietary inclusion of Fenugreek and/or Berseem seeds at varying levels as a substitute for soybean meal on reproductive performance, milk production, maternal behaviour, economic efficiency, mammary gland and ovarian histology, and relative expression of reproductive genes of New Zealand White rabbit does. Eighty fully grown New Zealand White does weighing between 2.75 and 3.00 kg live weight and aged 5–6 months old were utilized. Rabbits were allocated into four groups (20 rabbits/group): control group (basal diet), T1 (5% fenugreek), T2 (15% Berseem seeds), and T3 (2.5% Fenugreek with 7.5% Berseem seeds). We noticed that the dietary inclusion of Fenugreek and/or Berseem seeds significantly improved weight and total weight gain of litters. The increased body weight and decreased feed costs were accompanied by improved return parameters, including total return, net return economic efficiency, and relative economic efficiency, particularly in the T2 and T3 groups. Moreover, milk yield was increased in treated groups compared with those fed basal diet. The improved milk yield was associated with the enhancement of mRNA expression of the prolactin gene and improved mammary morphological characteristics, especially in the T1 group. Indeed, a rabbit does in T2 group revealed an earlier nest building, a higher nest quality, and an increased willingness to nurse. While those in T1 group presented the highest percentages of kits with full bellies. Interestingly, T2 and T3 had large mature follicles (preovulatory follicles) and few numbers of small follicles which was associated with a marked upregulation of mRNA levels of follicular stimulating hormone gene. It would be concluded that the dietary inclusion of Berseem seeds as a complete or partial replacement for soybean in New Zealand white rabbits' diet could be used to enhance the growth performance of litter and improve doe's milk production, maternal behaviour, and economic efficiency.
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... The herbs that are commonly used include picorhiza, garlic, cloves, slippery elm, neem fruit and leaves, sophora flavescens, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, peppermint, sage, thyme, mustard and fenugreek. These plants are used widely as digestive stimulants, antidiarrhoic, antiseptic, antiinflammatory, antiparasitic and appetite stimulants in human and animals (Tipu et al., 2006). Cinnamon is a condiment which is commonly used as an aromatic condiment and a flavor additive. ...
A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK TO DEVELOP MARKET AND INDUSTRY- ORIENTED CEYLON CINNAMON-INCORPORATED PET FOOD PRODUCTS: A NATIONAL UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE
Conference Paper
Full-text available
  • Dec 2024
This study explores a methodical framework to develop pet food products incorporated with Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) extract, a herbal and health-promoting medicinal ingredient. The proposed framework addresses the growing market needs for nutritionally sound, innovative pet food options as series of complete diets for dogs and cats. This framework, aims (i) to analyze the current industry demands and trends of pet food production in the global market including Sri Lanka and (ii) to investigate customer (human) willingness and consumer (animal) sensory preferences to identify the key factors driving the demand for Ceylon cinnamon-incorporated pet food as an alternative to cassia (Cinnamomum cassia)-incorporated pet food which retains numerous biological toxic factors. An innovative nutritional model which is optimally incorporated with Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia will be tested across all age categories. The formulated recipes will undergo rigorous testing to ensure their sensory attributes, nutritional composition, safety and their effectiveness on pet's performance and he-matological parameters. The final approach aims to create a well-rounded framework that addresses both industry needs and customer expectations. The developed framework will be meant to provide promising results, demonstrating a range of Ceylon cinnamon-incorporated pet food products that meet industry standards. The developed nutritional formulae will be intended to exert improvements in pet health and will improve the Ceylon cinnamon brand in the pet food market.
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... Lee (2001) reported that most domestics animals are fed with synthetics compound purposely to achieved either medication or growth improvement so as to meet the animal protein requirement of the populace. the ban on the use of antimicrobial growth promoter coupled with the reduction in the use of synthetic growth promoter by the farmers European Union (2006), has made farmers to look for alternative feed growth promoter in poultry feed Al-Harthi, (2002).furthermore, the prohibition of the use of antibiotics as a dietary feed supplements necessitate the use of non-conventional supplements in poultry production (Tipu et al., 2006;Puvaca et al., 2013).Garlic has been a traditional treatment in many countries, notably the Near East, China, and India. It has attracted particular attention of modern medicine because of its widespread use around the world and the cherished belief that it helps to maintain good health by warding off illnesses and providing more vigor (Mikaili et al 2013). ...
EFFECT OF GARLIC (Allium sativum) SUPPLEMENT ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND COST OF FEEDING OF BROILER CHICKENS
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2021
The experiment was conducted at the Poultry Production Unit, of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai, Niger State to investigate the growth performance and economics of production of broiler chickens fed with different levels of garlic powder inclusion. Four experimental diets were formulated. The treatments were diets with garlic supplement at 0g (control), 10g(T2), 15g (T3), and 20g (T4) coded as diets 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively for both starter (23%CP) and finisher (20%CP) rations. One-hundred and twenty (120) day old broiler unsexed 'Marshal' chicks were randomly allotted to the dietary treatments with three replications of 30 birds per treatment each in a completely randomized design (CRD). Feed and water were supplied ad libitum and experiment lasted for a period of eight weeks. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) according to the procedures of Steel and Torrie (1980).Results showed that daily feed intake (0.53,0.49,0.45,0.45g);weekly weight gain (0.12. 0.13, 0.13,0.13g),final body weight gain (0.90 1.02, 1.03, 1.06kg,) and feed conversion ratio (0.24, 0.27, 0.29, 0.30) were not significantly affected by the dietary level of garlic. With respect to daily feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were not significantly different across the treatments. Based on the result obtained from this trial, broiler birds that were fed with 20g/kg of garlic supplemented diet had the best performance in terms of final body weight gain (1060.00g/kg) and percentage mortality (3.33 %). However, it is not economical because of the high cost of garlic. Therefore, the formulation could be recommended for further evaluation in the dietary of broiler chickens.
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... The dose-dependent decrease in EPG may be attributed to the presence of polyphenols such as tannins and methyl gallate in the plant [24]. Therefore, this reduction in egg count contributed to the observed growth-promoting effects or average daily gain in this study [25]. The decrease in EPG helped reduce competition for nutrients, which diverted the nutrients for growth promotion, resulting in increased average daily gain. ...
Exploring the potential of phenolic and antioxidant compounds identified and quantified of Caesalpinia coriaria fruits and their impacts on lambs’ performance and health
Article
Full-text available
  • Apr 2024
This study aimed to assess the impact of the identified phenolic, flavonoid, and fat-soluble vitamin compounds found in Caesalpinia coriaria fruits (EC) aqueous extract on growth performance, helminth parasitic load, feeding behavior, and physiological variables in lambs. The fruits were extracted using water, and three doses of the extract as no extract (EC0 mL/lamb/day), 30 mL of aqueous extract of Caesalpinia coriaria fruits (EC30 mL/lamb/day), or 60 mL of aqueous extract of Caesalpinia coriaria fruits (EC60 mL/lamb/day) were orally administered to 24 growing crossbred lambs weighing 18-20 kg for 60 days. The HPLC analysis revealed that ferulic acid, ellagic acid, syringic acid, quercetin, and hesperidin were the predominant compounds in Caesalpinia coriaria fruits. Additionally, water-soluble vitamin compounds such as thiamine, pantothenic acid, and niacin were detected in the Caesalpinia coriaria fruit extract. The dietary administration of EC improved (P < 0.05) average daily gain and feed and water intake. EC30 lambs spent more time (P < 0.03) eating and less time ruminating. The aqueous extract also showed a dose-dependent reduction (P = 0.048) in fecal parasite egg count, with a steady decrease (P = 0.0001) as the extract was applied. EC0 lambs exhibited the highest (P < 0.0001) respiratory frequency and EC30 the lowest. A strong positive correlation was identified between rectal and abdomen temperature in the morning and afternoon measurements. The presence of phenolic and antioxidants in the aqueous extract of C. coriaria, up to 60 mL, demonstrated beneficial effects, including improved productivity, anti-parasitic activity, and mitigation of body temperature. Thus, farmers without access to synthetic drugs can use this plant extract to treat their animals during fattening to reduce gastrointestinal parasites, improve growth rate, and reduce drug residue in animal products. Further studies need to be carried out on the individual components of Caesalpinia coriaria fruits to ascertain their effect on body temperature/physiology and to know if the effects are individualistic or synergistic.
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Impact of Neem Cake on In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation, Gas Production Kinetics, and Enteric Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Finishing Beef Cattle Diets
Article
  • Mar 2025
Neem cake (Azadirachta indica) is a versatile plant with potential benefits for ruminant animals due to its effects on rumen modulation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of neem cake and monensin on in vitro ruminal fermentation in cattle diets. Six treatments were tested: neem cake at 0, 240, 480, 720, and 960 mg/kg dry matter (DM) and monensin at 30 mg/kg DM. The basal diet consisted of a diet with a 15:85 roughage-to-concentrate ratio. Parameters evaluated included gas production kinetics, CH4 and CO2 emissions, pH, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), ammonia-N (NH3-N), and organic matter digestibility. Neem cake increased ruminal pH compared to monensin (p < 0.01). The total VFAs increased linearly with neem cake inclusion (p < 0.01). The acetate proportion increased quadratically (p = 0.06). Propionate decreased linearly (p = 0.02), while branched-chain VFAs (BCVFAs) increased linearly (p = 0.09). The neem cake addition increased the NH3-N concentration quadratically (p < 0.01). CH4 and CO2 concentrations were higher with neem cake compared to monensin (p < 0.05). Neem cake shows potential to reduce rumen acidosis and enhance fiber digestion, making it useful during the adaptation period for finishing diets in feedlots and for grazing animals. However, it was not effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in this in vitro system.
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Evaluating the in vitro efficiency of grapevine leaves against Eimeria flavescens sporozoites infecting domestic rabbits
Article
Full-text available
  • Feb 2025
Coccidiosis is a common disease in rabbits and is caused by Eimeria spp., which poses a threat to its survival. The research aims to assess the effect of the Vitis vinifera extract on Eimeria flavescens sporozoites for inhibition viability. Twenty-four-well plates with a volume of 3 mL each, each containing one thousand sporulated oocysts/mL, were subjected to seven different treatments: control of 2.5% potassium dichromate solution; five different extract concentrations 125, 250, 500, 750, and 1000μg/mL concentrations for anti-sporozoites activities. in addition, 25mg/ml of Toltrazuril was as a reference medicine. The mixture's anti-sporozoite properties were assessed, and it was able to block the E. flavescens oocysts at 125g/mL, Vitis vinifera showed the lowest inhibition of 9% and the largest suppression of 87% of the viability of E. flavescens sporozoite at 1000g/mL. Longer incubation times and higher doses usually increase the inhibition rate for sporozoite viability. Findings showed that V. vinifera leaf extract has effective activity in vitro sporozoite viability. Keywords: anticoccidial; Eimeria species; sporozoiticidal
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Comparative Efficacy of Salinomycin Sodium and Neem Fruit ( Azadirachta Indica ) as Feed Additive Anticoccidials in Broilers
Article
Full-text available
  • Apr 2002
  • Int J Poultry Sci
The anticoccidial efficacy of a herb, neem fruit ( Azadirachta indica ) is compared with an ionophorus anticoccidial Kokcisan (salinomycin sodium) against coccidiosis in broilers. Two hundred and forty one-day-old broiler chicks were reared for 42 days. These birds were divided into 6 groups i.e. A,B,C,D,E and F comprising of 40 birds each. There were six treatments, 25 gm salinomycin sodium/50kg feed (A), 50gm ground neem fruit /50kg feed (B), 100 gm ground neem fruit /50kg feed (C), 150 gm ground neem fruit /50kg feed (D), infected non-medicated (E), non-infected non-medicated (F). Groups A,B,C,D and E were given a challenge dose of coccidial oocyst at the age of 22 days. Weight gain, feed consumption, oocysts in the faeces, clinical findings and mortality were recorded. The result revealed that the birds of non-infected non-medicated group had better (P<0.05) weight gain as compared to medicated groups. The birds of Salinomycin sodium group have better weight gain and feed efficiency as compared to other treated groups but the difference was non significant (P>0.05). Moreover, neem fruit 150gm/50kg feed had excellent performance in terms of oocyst count and lower mortality as compared to other treated groups.
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Influence of Yucca schidigera Extract on Ruminal Ammonia Concentrations and Ruminal Microorganisms
Article
Full-text available
  • Jul 1994
An extract of the desert plant Yucca shidigera was assessed for its possible benefit in ruminal fermentation. The extract bound ammonia in aqueous solution when concentrations of ammonia were low (up to 0.4 mM) and when the extract was added at a high concentration to the sample (20%, vol/vol). The apparent ammonia-binding capability was retained after autoclaving and was decreased slightly following dialysis. Acid-precipitated extract was inactive. No evidence of substantial ammonia binding was found at higher ammonia concentrations (up to 30 mM). When Y. shidigera extract (1%, vol/vol) was added to strained rumen fluid in vitro, a small (6%) but significant (P < 0.05) decrease in ammonia concentration occurred, apparently because of decreased proteolysis. Inclusion of Y. shidigera extract (1%, vol/vol) in the growth medium of the rumen bacterium Streptococcus bovis ES1 extended its lag phase, while growth of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens SH13 was abolished. The growth of Prevotella (Bacteroides) ruminicola B(1)4 was stimulated, and that of Selenomonas ruminantium Z108 was unaffected. Protozoal activity, as measured by the breakdown of 14C-leucine-labelled S. ruminantium in rumen fluid incubated in vitro, was abolished by the addition of 1% extract. The antimicrobial activities were unaffected by precipitating tannins with polyvinylpyrrolidone, but a butanol extract, containing the saponin fraction, retained its antibacterial and antiprotozoal effects. Saponins from other sources were less effective against protozoa than Y. shidigera saponins. Y. shidigera extract, therefore, appears unlikely to influence ammonia concentration in the rumen directly, but its saponins have antimicrobial properties, particularly in suppressing ciliate protozoa, which may prove beneficial to ruminal fermentation and may lead indirectly to lower ruminal ammonia concentrations.
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Effects of Components of Artemisia annua on Coccidia Infections in Chickens
Article
Full-text available
  • Sep 1997
Four experiments were run to test the anticoccidial activity of dried Artemisia annua leaves and several of their chemical constituents for possible use as prophylactic feed additives. When fed over a period of 3 wk at a level of 5%, a dried leaf supplement of A. annua provided significant protection against lesions due to Eimeria tenella but not Eimeria acervulina or Eimeria maxima. When fed over a period of 5 wk at a level of 1% to chicks undergoing immunization with a live vaccine, it provided significant protection in partially immunized chicks against E. acervulina and E. tenella lesions from a dual species challenge infection. It also afforded lower mean lesion scores in challenged chicks immunized over a period of 5 wk. Artemisinin, an antimalarial component of A. annua, was present at a level of 0.034% in the dried leaf preparation. A 5% supplement thus afforded about 17 ppm artemisin. When the pure compound was fed at that level for a period of 3 wk, it protected weight gains and significantly reduced lesion scores attributable to E. tenella but not E. acervulina. Other components of A. annua, camphor and 1,8-cineole, at 119 ppm also protected weight gains, and reduced E. tenella lesion scores. Camphor reduced E. acervulina lesions. Artemisinin fed for 4 wk at levels of 2, 8.5, and 17 ppm significantly reduced oocyst output from separate E. acervulina and E. tenella infections and a dual species infection. Pure artemisinin thus appears to be effective against at least two coccidia species when used as a feed additive, and its activity may depend, in part, on the length of time it is administered before a challenge infection.
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Effects of natural plant extracts on ruminal protein degradation and fermentation profiles in continuous culture1
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2004
  • J ANIM SCI
Eight dual-flow continuous culture fermenters were used in four consecutive periods of 10 d to study the effects of six natural plant extracts on ruminal protein degradation and fermentation profiles. Fermenters were fed a diet with a 52:48 forage:concentrate ratio (DM basis). Treatments were no extract (CTR), 15 mg/kg DM of a mixture of equal proportions of all extracts (MIX), and 7.5 mg/kg DM of extracts of garlic (GAR), cinnamon (CIN), yucca (YUC), anise (ANI), oregano (ORE), or pepper (PEP). During the adaptation period (d 1 through 8), samples for ammonia N and VFA concentrations were taken 2 h after feeding. On d 9 and 10, samples for VFA (2 h after feeding), and peptide, AA, and ammonia N concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after feeding) were also taken. Differences were declared at P < 0.05. During the adaptation period, total VFA and ammonia N concentrations were not affected by treatments. The acetate proportion was higher from d 2 to 6 in CIN, GAR, ANI, and ORE, and the propionate proportion was lower from d 2 to 4 in CIN and GAR, and from d 2 to 5 in ANI and ORE, compared with CTR. However, the proportion of individual VFA (mol/100 mol) was similar in all treatments after d 6, except for valerate in d 9 and 10, which was lower in PEP (2.8 +/- 0.27) compared with CTR (3.5 +/- 0.27). The average peptide N concentration was 31% higher in MIX, and 26% higher in CIN and YUC compared with CTR (6.5 +/- 1.07 mg/100 mL). The average AA N concentration was 17 and 15% higher in GAR and ANI, respectively, compared with CTR (7.2 +/- 0.77 mg/100 mL). The average ammonia N concentration was 31% higher in ANI and 25.5% lower in GAR compared with CTR (5.5 +/- 0.51 mg/100 mL). The accumulation of AA and ammonia N in ANI suggested that peptidolysis and deamination were stimulated. The accumulation of AA N and the decrease in ammonia N in GAR suggests that deamination was inhibited. The accumulation of peptide N and the numerical decrease in AA N in CIN suggest that peptidolysis was inhibited. Results indicate that plant extracts modified ruminal fermentation, but microbes were adapted to some extracts after 6 d of fermentation. Therefore, data from short-term in vitro fermentation studies may lead to erroneous conclusions, and should be interpreted with caution. Careful selection of these additives may allow the manipulation of protein degradation in the rumen.
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Influence of Plant Phenolic Acids on Growth and Cellulolytic Activity of Rumen Bacteria
Article
Full-text available
  • Sep 1982
Isolated rumen bacteria were examined for growth and, where appropriate, for their ability to degrade cellulose in the presence of the hydroxycinnamic acids trans-p-coumaric acid and trans-ferulic acid and the hydroxybenzoic acids vanillic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. Ferulic and p-coumaric acids proved to be the most toxic of the acids examined and suppressed the growth of the cellulolytic strains Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and Bacteroides succinogenes when included in a simple sugars medium at concentrations of >5 mM. The extent of cellulose digestion by R. flavefaciens and B. succinogenes but not R. albus was also substantially reduced. Examination of rumen fluid from sheep maintained on dried grass containing 0.51% phenolic acids showed the presence of phloretic acid (0.1 mM) and 3-methoxyphloretic acid (trace) produced by hydrogenation of the 2-propenoic side chain of p-coumaric and ferulic acids, respectively. The parent acids were found in trace amounts only, although they represented the major phenolic acids ingested. Phloretic and 3-methoxyphloretic acids proved to be considerably less toxic than their parent acids. All of the cellulolytic strains (and Streptococcus bovis) showed at least a limited ability to hydrogenate hydroxycinnamic acids, with Ruminococcus spp. proving the most effective. No further modification of hydroxycinnamic acids was produced by the single strains of bacteria examined. However, a considerable shortfall in the recovery of added phenolic acids was noted in media inoculated with rumen fluid. It is suggested that hydrogenation may serve to protect cellulolytic strains from hydroxycinnamic acids.
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Activity of biological effects of neem products against arthropods of medical and veterinary importance
Article
  • Jul 1999
Botanical insecticides are relatively safe and degradable, and are readily available sources of biopesticides. The most prominent phytochemical pesticides in recent years are those derived from neem trees, which have been studied extensively in the fields of entomology and phytochemistry, and have uses for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The neem products have been obtained from several species of neem trees in the family Meliaceae. Six species in this family have been the subject of botanical pesticide research. They are Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Azadirachta excelsa Jack, Azadirachta siamens Valeton, Melia azedarach L., Melia toosendan Sieb. and Zucc., and Melia volkensii Gürke. The Meliaceae, especially A. indica (Indian neem tree), contains at least 35 biologically active principles. Azadirachtin is the predominant insecticidal active ingredient in the seed, leaves, and other parts of the neem tree. Azadirachtin and other compounds in neem products exhibit various modes of action against insects such as antifeedancy, growth regulation, fecundity suppression and sterilization, oviposition repellency or attractancy, changes in biological fitness, and blocking development of vector-borne pathogens. Some of these bioactivity parameters of neem products have been investigated at least in some species of insects of medical and veterinary importance, such as mosquitoes, flies, triatomines, cockroaches, fleas, lice, and others. Here we review, synthesize, and analyze published information on the activity, modes of action, and other biological effects of neem products against arthropods of medical and veterinary importance. The amount of information on the activity, use, and application of neem products for the control of disease vectors and human and animal pests is limited. Additional research is needed to determine the potential usefulness of neem products in vector control programs.
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Antimicrobial effects of extracts of Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Salvadora persica (Arak) chewing sticks
Article
  • Jan 1999
  • Indian J Dent Res
Chewing sticks (Miswak) is most commonly used int he Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Salvadora persica (Arak) and Azadirachta indica (Neem) are commonly used as oral hygiene tools in different parts of the world, Several studies have demonstrated the anti-plaque anticarious and antibacterial effect of these sticks. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of antimicrobial activity of Neem and Arak chewing stick's aqueous extracts at various concentrations. The microbial inhibition was measured using blood agar and ditch plate method up to 48 hous. The pH of Neem extract was 6.1 and of Arak was 4.9 Data suggested that both chewing stick extracts are effective at 50% concentration on strept mutans and Strept faecalis. Arak extract was more effective at lower concentrations for Strept faecalis. The effect may be due to the difference of their chemical composition and variability in their PH. Further research is needed to extrapolate other plants used for oral hygiene. Chewing sticks are recommended as oral hygiene tools for health promotion in developing countries.
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Screening of the anticoccidial effects of herb extracts against Eimeria tenella
Article
  • May 2001
  • VET PARASITOL
Ionophorous antibiotics have been popularly used in the treatment of avian coccidiosis. Tissue residue of these antibiotics may be found in poultry, we have sought safe alternative anticoccidial herbal materials for the control of avian coccidiosis. Efficacy of extracts from 15 different herbs, including Bupleurum chinese DC, Sophora flavescens Aiton, and Artemisia annua Linne was tested against Eimeria tenella. One-day-old broiler chicks were infected with a USDA reference book of E. tenella, and administered various herbal extracts. Survival rates, lesion scores, body weight gains, bloody diarrhea, and oocysts excretions were investigated at the first and the second week after infection. Bloody diarrhea in the S. flavescens and Sinomenium acutum treated groups was milder than that of the other infected groups. Survival rates in the groups treated with Ulmus macrocarpa (100%), Pulsatilla koreana, Torilis japonica, Artemisia asiatica and S. flavescens (90%) were higher than that of the infected control group (70%). Lesion scores in the groups treated with U. macrocarpa (1.40+/-1.14) or Pulsatilla koreana (1.60+/-1.82) were significantly lower than those of the infected control group (3.00+/-1.10). During the first week after infection, the weight gains in the groups treated with Quisqualis indica (232.9+/-43.5 g), S. flavescens (214.4+/-46.1 g) and S. acutum (211.3+/-29.4 g) were significantly higher than the infected control group (172.4+/-17.6 g). In conclusion, the data of the survival rates, bloody diarrhea symptoms, lesion scores, body weight gains and oocyst excretions indicate that the extract of S. flavescens was the most effective. P. koreana, S. acutum, U. macrocarpa and Q. indica were also effective. Further research on the above herbal materials will be carried out by the authors by chemical analysis of the extracts.
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Field trials of Zycox (IHP-250) against coccidiosis in broiler chicks
  • Jan 1991
  • 29-32
  • C Guha
  • P Majumdar
  • A K Pramanick
Guha, C., P. Majumdar and A. K. Pramanick, 1991. Field trials of Zycox (IHP-250) against coccidiosis in broiler chicks. Indian J. Indig. Med., 8(2): 29-32.