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.
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.
Keywords
Author Information
Reprint Address:
Ayrle, H (reprint author)
| Res Inst Organ Agr FiBL, Dept Livestock Sci, Ackerstr 113,Postbox 219, CH-5070 Frick, Switzerland. |
 | Univ Bern, Vetsuisse Fac, Dept Clin Res & Vet Publ Hlth, Div Vet Pharmacol & Toxicol, Laenggassstr 124, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland. |
Addresses:
E-mail Addresses:hannah.ayrle@fibl.org
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
