Dietary administration of three medicinal plant extracts enhance innate immunity and skin pigmentation of Botia rostrata (Günther, 1868)

ABSTRACT The comparative efficacy of three plant extracts to enhance the immune and pigmentation status of ornamental fish Botia rostrata (Günther, 1868) was analyzed. Juvenile fish (Wt 3.6 ± 0.5 g, n = 72, three replicates) were fed separate diets containing Mucuna pruriens seed methanol (0.25 g/kg), Tribulus terrestris seed ethanol (0.5 g/kg), and Basella alba leaves ethanol (1.0 g/kg) extracts for 1 month. Control fish were fed only the basal diet. After 1 month, liver superoxide dismutase and catalase activities decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in all plant extract-fed groups compared to the control. Mucuna seed extract-fed fish showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in malondialdehyde; the glutathione level decreased in Tribulus seed extract- and Basella leaves extract-fed fish compared to the control. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in phagocytotic, sera lysozyme, and respiratory burst activities was noticed in plant extracts-fed fish. Basella leaves extract-fed fish showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in skin pigmentation pattern. Basella leaves ethanol extract (1.0 g/kg) appeared more potent than the other two plant extracts in enhancing the innate immunity and skin coloration of Botia rostrata.