Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruit extract improves growth performance, disease resistance, and serum immune-and antioxidant-related gene expression of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Abstract

This study evaluated the use of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruit extract on the growth performance, immune responses, and disease resistance in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). A total of 192 fish (initial body weight of 18.34 ± 1.8 g) were randomly distributed in 12 tanks with 16 fish per tank (4 treatments with 3 replications) and fed with diets containing cornelian cherry extract (CCE) at the rate of 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1%. The final weight of common carp fed CCE at 0.5% was significantly higher than fish fed 0 and 0.25% doses (p < 0.05). In addition, weight gain and specific growth rate were increased, and feed conversion ratio decreased in fish-fed diets containing 0.5 and 1% CCE compared to other groups. The challenge test with A. hydrophila revealed that common carp-fed CCE had a lower mortality rate than the control. The lysozyme activity was markedly higher in common carp fed 0.5% of cornelian cherry extract than in control. The total immunoglobulin and total protein showed higher values in fish fed 0.5 and 1% than the control. The catalase gene showed higher mRNA levels in fish fed 0.5 and 1% than the control. Glutathione reductase gene expression was markedly upregulated in common carp fed 1% of CCE than the control and 0.25% groups. The glutathione S-transferase gene showed higher mRNA levels in fish fed 0.5 and 1% than the control and 0.25% groups. The superoxide dismutase gene expression was markedly higher in common carp fed 0.5% of CCE than in control. The CC-chemokine and interleukin-10 showed higher mRNA levels in fish fed 0.5% than the remaining groups. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha gene expression was markedly upregulated in common carp fed 1% of CCE than the control and 0.25% groups. The heat shock 70 kDa protein and interleukin-1 beta genes showed higher mRNA levels in fish fed 0.25, 0.5, and 1% than the control. In conclusion, the supplementation of CCE at 0.5–1% is recommended to enhance the growth performance and relieve the impacts of A. hydrophila infection in common carp.