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Tuesday 31 January 2017

Medicinal plants - prophylactic and therapeutic options for gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in calves and piglets? A systematic review


By:Ayrle, H (Ayrle, Hannah)[ 1,2 ] ; Mevissen, M (Mevissen, Meike)[ 2 ] ; Kaske, M (Kaske, Martin)[ 3 ] ; Nathues, H (Nathues, Heiko)[ 4 ] ; Gruetzner, N (Gruetzner, Niels)[ 4 ] ; Melzig, M (Melzig, Matthias)[ 5 ] ; Walkenhorst, M (Walkenhorst, Michael)[ 1 ]
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
Volume: 12
Article Number: 89
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-016-0714-8
Published: JUN 6 2016
Abstract
Background: Gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in calves and piglets lead to significant economic losses in livestock husbandry. A high morbidity has been reported for diarrhea (calves <= 35 %; piglets <= 50 %) and for respiratory diseases (calves <= 80 %; piglets <= 40 %). Despite a highly diverse etiology and pathophysiology of these diseases, treatment with antimicrobials is often the first-line therapy. Multi-antimicrobial resistance in pathogens results in international accordance to strengthen the research in novel treatment options. Medicinal plants bear a potential as alternative or additional treatment. Based on the versatile effects of their plant specific multi-component-compositions, medicinal plants can potentially act as 'multi-target drugs'. Regarding the plurality of medicinal plants, the aim of this systematic review was to identify potential medicinal plant species for prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases and for modulation of the immune system and inflammation in calves and piglets.

Results: Based on nine initial sources including standard textbooks and European ethnoveterinary studies, a total of 223 medicinal plant species related to the treatment of gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases was identified. A defined search strategy was established using the PRISMA statement to evaluate 30 medicinal plant species starting from 20'000 peer-reviewed articles published in the last 20 years (1994-2014). This strategy led to 418 references (257 in vitro, 84 in vivo and 77 clinical trials, thereof 48 clinical trials in veterinary medicine) to evaluate effects of medicinal plants and their efficacy in detail. The findings indicate that the most promising candidates for gastrointestinal diseases are Allium sativum L., Mentha x piperita L. and Salvia officinalis L.; for diseases of the respiratory tract Echinacea purpurea (L.) MOENCH, Thymus vulgaris L. and Althea officinalis L. were found most promising, and Echinacea purpurea (L.) MOENCH, Camellia sinensis (L.) KUNTZE, Glycyrrhiza glabra L. and Origanum vulgare L. were identified as best candidates for modulation of the immune system and inflammation.

Conclusions: Several medicinal plants bear a potential for novel treatment strategies for young livestock. There is a need for further research focused on gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in calves and piglets, and the findings of this review provide a basis on plant selection for future studies.
Author Information
Reprint Address: Ayrle, H (reprint author)
      Res Inst Organ Agr FiBL, Dept Livestock Sci, Ackerstr 113,Postbox 219, CH-5070 Frick, Switzerland.
Reprint Address: Ayrle, H (reprint author)
Univ Bern, Vetsuisse Fac, Dept Clin Res & Vet Publ Hlth, Div Vet Pharmacol & Toxicol, Laenggassstr 124, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland.
Addresses:
      [ 1 ] Res Inst Organ Agr FiBL, Dept Livestock Sci, Ackerstr 113,Postbox 219, CH-5070 Frick, Switzerland
[ 2 ] Univ Bern, Vetsuisse Fac, Dept Clin Res & Vet Publ Hlth, Div Vet Pharmacol & Toxicol, Laenggassstr 124, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
[ 3 ] Univ Zurich, Vetsuisse Fac, Dept Farm Anim, Winterthurerstr 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
[ 4 ] Univ Bern, Vetsuisse Fac, Dept Clin Vet Med, Swine Clin, Bremgartenstr 109a, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
[ 5 ] Free Univ Berlin, Inst Pharm, Dahlem Ctr Plant Sci, Koenigin Luise Str 2 4, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
E-mail Addresses:hannah.ayrle@fibl.org
Funding
Funding AgencyGrant Number
Swiss retailer Migros 
500 54 
View funding text  
Publisher
BIOMED CENTRAL LTD, 236 GRAYS INN RD, FLOOR 6, LONDON WC1X 8HL, ENGLAND
Categories / Classification
Research Areas:Veterinary Sciences
Web of Science Categories:Veterinary Sciences
Document Information
Document Type:Review
Language:English
Accession Number: WOS:000377079300001
PubMed ID: 27268043
ISSN: 1746-6148
Journal Information
Other Information
IDS Number: DN5AV
Cited References in Web of Science Core Collection: 456
Times Cited in Web of Science Core Collection: 1