Special Issue "Nutraceuticals, Phytonutrients, and Phytotherapy for Improvement of Animal Health and Welfare"

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2021.

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Francesca Ciani
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Interests: veterinary physiology; endocrinology; reproductive physiology and biotechnology; animal welfare; oxidative stress
Special Issues and Collections in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nutraceuticals, phytonutrients, and phytotherapeutics are assuming an important position in the veterinary field as tools that support conventional medicine for the holistic management of animal welfare and health. Today, the clinically relevant efficacy of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements has led to the concept of “nutritional medicine”. Many types of scientific research and clinical experience have been able to ascertain and demonstrate how the administration of nutrients and other substances of natural origin together with changes in the diet can treat specific deficiencies, treat particular symptoms, and prevent or delay the onset of certain chronic diseases often associated with inflammatory states or oxidative stress. Alongside the issue of effectiveness, the “safety” profile in the use of these substances, many of plant origin, is assuming great importance. The legislation is still incomplete for many points, so it is appropriate to expand the topic with new evidence with an irrefutable scientific basis. For this issue, scientific contributions regarding studies on animals of veterinary interest will be welcome. In particular, those relating to nutritional medicine; analyzing the integrated mechanisms activated by nutraceuticals, phytotherapy, and phytonutrients in the control of the maintenance and/or restoration of cellular and systemic homeostasis; investigating potential biotechnological applications; and evaluating the behavioral responses and welfare statuses of animals included in studies will be of interest. Enriching this issue with qualified contributions will be very important to, above all, fill the scientific gaps and also to provide reliable indications for the formulation of the “nutritional claims” required by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for food authorized for animals with particular beneficial nutritional properties.

Dr. Francesca Ciani
Guest Editor

 

Keywords

  • animal health
  • animal physiology
  • animal behavior
  • animal welfare
  • nutraceuticals
  • phytonutrients
  • phytotherapy
  • functional food
  • antioxidants
  • free radicals
  • biotechnology

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

Article
Effects of Dietary Polyphenols from Olive Mill Waste Waters on Inflammatory and Apoptotic Effectors in Rabbit Ovary
Animals 2021, 11(6), 1727; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061727 - 09 Jun 2021
Viewed by 1199
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary polyphenols on the expression of the effectors involved in inflammation and apoptosis in rabbit ovary. New Zealand White female rabbits were fed a basal control diet (CTR), or the same diet [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary polyphenols on the expression of the effectors involved in inflammation and apoptosis in rabbit ovary. New Zealand White female rabbits were fed a basal control diet (CTR), or the same diet supplemented with a polyphenolic concentrate (POL, 282.4 mg/kg) obtained from olive mill waste waters. The follicle counts and the relative mRNA (RT-qPCR) and protein (immunohistochemistry) expression of the effectors involved in inflammation (cyclooxygenase-2; interleukin-1beta; tumor necrosis factor-alpha, TNFA) and apoptosis (BCL2-associated X protein, BAX), detected in the ovaries of both groups, were examined. The POL diet increased the primary and total follicles number. Cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression was higher (p < 0.05) in the POL group than in the CTR group, whereas BAX was lower (p < 0.05) in POL than CTR. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of all the proteins examined, with weaker (p < 0.05) COX2 and BAX signals in POL. No differences between the CTR and POL groups were observed for IL1B and TNFA gene and protein expression. These preliminary findings show that dietary polyphenols modulate inflammatory and apoptotic activities in rabbit ovary, regulating cyclooxygenase-2 and BAX expression, thus suggesting a functional involvement of these dietary compounds in mammalian reproduction. Full article
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Article
Dietary Pomegranate By-Product Alleviated the Oxidative Stress Induced by Dexamethasone in Laying Hens in the Pre-Peak Period
Animals 2021, 11(4), 1022; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11041022 - 05 Apr 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 666
Abstract
This experiment was conducted to assess the inclusion of the by-products of pomegranate peels to ameliorate the harmful impacts of oxidative stress in the pre-peak period of laying hens. For this, 120 local Egyptian strain hens (Inshas hens) aged 24 weeks old were [...] Read more.
This experiment was conducted to assess the inclusion of the by-products of pomegranate peels to ameliorate the harmful impacts of oxidative stress in the pre-peak period of laying hens. For this, 120 local Egyptian strain hens (Inshas hens) aged 24 weeks old were used in four treatments. Pomegranate peel powder was included at 2% and 4% in the diets of laying hens subjected to oxidative injuries induced by dexamethasone compared with negative and positive control groups for 12 weeks. The addition of pomegranate peel powder (PPP) reduced the adverse effects of oxidative stress induced by dexamethasone on body weight (p = 0.006) and egg production (p = 0.010) comparing to the positive control. Additionally, pomegranate peel powder had a significant positive lowering effect on plasma cholesterol (p < 0.001) and triglyceride contents (p = 0.005) compared to control groups. The lipid peroxidation indicators (MDA) were reduced, but the antioxidative enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPx) and total antioxidant blood capacity were improved with PPP. Based on the obtained data, the present research recommends using dietary PPP up to 4% to mitigate adverse oxidative stress effects in the pre-peak laying period and as a sustainable and economical approach for agricultural development. Full article
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Article
Analysis of the Productivity, Immunity, and Health Performance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Broodstock-fed Dietary Fermented Extracts Sourced from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Hilyses): A Field Trial
Animals 2021, 11(3), 815; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030815 - 14 Mar 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 625
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary fermented extracts sourced from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (nucleotides, β-glucans and MOS) (Hilyses®) on the production and health of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock, as well as on seed survival and [...] Read more.
The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary fermented extracts sourced from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (nucleotides, β-glucans and MOS) (Hilyses®) on the production and health of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock, as well as on seed survival and performance. The trial was performed in a hatchery along the spawning season and continued in the laboratory to monitor the performance in fry and fingerlings. The broodstock were divided into two groups, (C) fed a basal diet and (H) fed 0.4% Hilyses. Blood and histological parameters, antioxidant power, cortisol level and the expression of some immune-related (TLR-2, IL-1β and TNF-α) and growth-related genes (MUC-2 and IGF-1) were measured. The obtained seeds were subdivided into four treatments: (C-C) fed a basal diet, (C-H) fed 0.4% Hilyses, (H-C) fed a basal diet and (H-H) fed 0.4% Hilyses. Results revealed that the dietary inclusion of Hilyses in the broodstock increased seed production, survival, hematological parameters, and antioxidant power. Moreover, it improved the intestinal microstructure and upregulated the immune- and growth-related genes. The growth indices of fry and fingerlings were significantly increased in all Hilyses-treated groups (p < 0.05). The performance in the (H-H) group significantly surpassed those of all groups. Therefore, dietary fermented yeast could be used as a strategic solution to sustain tilapia production. Full article
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Effects of functional feeds enriched with bioactive molecules extracted from OleaEuropea on the plasma acid profile of lactating Holstein cows
Authors: Armando Zarrelli
Affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze chimiche - VIA CINTIA - COMPLESSO MONTE SANT'ANGELO, 21
Abstract: In this work. the effects of diets enriched with bioactive compounds on plasma fatty acid composition in lactating Friesian cows are evaluated. The daily ration was supplemented with an Olea Europea extract mainly composed of hydroxytyrosol, verbascoside, tyrosol, molecules with nutraceutical and functional action.The effects were evaluated on lactating cows at first. second and third calving for an experimental period of 2 months. For the evaluation of the plasma fatty acid profile, blood samples were taken every two weeks and analysed by Gas Chromatography. The standard diet was supplemented with a water-soluble natural olive extract powder "Phenofeed Dry" (PhenoFarm). and the chemicalnutritional composition of the feed was evaluated by AOAC and Nir System analysis, the total polyphenol content by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay and the antioxidant power of the standard feed.enriched feed and pure by the DPPH (2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method and the bioactive molecules of the Phenofeed extract were characterised by HPLC-UV. The results showed that the supplemented diet influenced the plasma concentration of individual fatty acids such as linoleic, palmitic and stearic and the total content of SFA, MUFA and PUFA: there was a constant maintenance of SFA and MUFA levels and a reduction in PUFA levels (p 0.001) during treatment. The plasma fatty acid profile of cows does not vary between calving orders, but is probably influenced by the nutritional content of the ration and the functional action of the added polyphenols. It is known that during lactation in this breed the variation in the plasma PUFA acid profile is physiological, however the supplemented diet contributed to keeping the ratio between Omega 3 and Omega 6 constant, with an increase in Omega 6 compared to Omega 3The aim of the study is to develop fiunctional feeds for lactating cows by integrating the feed ration with bioactive molecules extracted from the processing waste of the olive-oil industry in order to limit the physiological stress of cows during lactation.

Title: Dietary Polyphenols from Olive Mill Waste Waters for rabbits: Expression of Metabolic, Inflammatory and Apoptotic Effectors in Liver
Authors: Dr.ssa Margherita Maranesi
Affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria via San Costanzo, 4 06126 Perugia
Abstract: Abstract: Plant processing for the production of food or non-food products generates a wide range of by-products and residues rich in biological active compounds including polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. The concentration of by-products polyphenols is sometimes higher compared to original raw material as in the case of olive mill waste water (OMWW), an olive oil production by-product. Polyphenols are secondary bioactive molecules that have been demonstrated to regulate the expression of specific inflammatory genes, transcriptional factors, pro/anti-apoptotic molecules that modulate different signaling pathways essential for cell health status and homeostasis. Liver has a key role in the maintenance and regulation of homeostasis and to respond to dietary changes maintaining nutritional and physiological states. In this study a nutrigenomic approach that highlights the relationship between diet, gene expression and modulation of biological processes has been carried out through quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) evaluating expression of target genes (AGER, BAX, COX2, IL1B, PPARA, PPARG, SIRT1, TNFA) on New Zealand rabbits liver fed with a standard diet (n=10 animals) or the same diet supplemented with OMWW (POL group; n=10 animals). Results showed a down-regulation of SIRT1, TNFA, AGER, BAX and PPARA expression levels in POL group respect to control group (CTRL). These results are a first step toward the prevention of oxidative stress damages, through OMWW diet supplementation, in food producing animals.

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