Dietary Administration of Common Sage (Salvia officinalis) and Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia) Extracts Affects Growth, Blood Parameters and Immune Responses of Beluga, Huso huso

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of Salvia officinalis and Echinacea angustifolia extracts on growth performance, blood parameters and innate immune responses of beluga, Huso huso. Six experimental diets were prepared using S. Officinalis (SAE-30, SAE-60, SAE-120) and E. angustifolia (EAE-30, EAE-60 and EAE-120) extracts containing concentrations of 30, 60 and 120 ml/kg feed, respectively. A control diet (CD) was prepared without extracts inclusion. The fish fed the diet containing 120 ml/kg of E. angustifolia extract (EAE-120) showed significant (P < 0.05) higher final weight (885.7 +/- 11.5 g ), body weight (318.5 +/- 8.5%) and feed efficiency (872.7 +/- 9.1) compared to those of other experimental diets. In addition, SGR (1.8 +/- 0.14) and FCR (2.7 +/- 0.18) were significantly improved in fish fed diet containing 30 ml/kg of E. angustifolia extract (EAE-30) compared to those of other experimental diets. All haematological parameters were influenced by inclusion of Salvia officinalis and Echinacea angustifolia extracts. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were significantly lower in supplemented diet groups compared to the control. The lysozyme activity (31.6 +/- 3.3 mu g/ml) and alternative complement activity (130.3 +/- 10.9 U/ml) in the serum of fish fed diet containing120 ml/kg of E. angustifolia extract (EAE-120) showed significant difference compared to the other treatments (P<0.05). These results revealed remarkable beneficial effects of E. angustifolia extract on innate immune and growth performance of the beluga.