Immunomodulatory effects of some locally available mushrooms in chicken and their therapeutic effects against coccidiosis

Abstract

The present study reports the immunomodulatory effects hot water, methanolic and polysaccharide extracts of mushroom species including Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus sajor-caju and Lentinus edodes. Lymphoproliferative response to phytohaemagglutinin-p and antibody (total Ig, IgM and IgG) were used to detect cellular and humoral immune responses, respectively. Results of the study revealed significantly higher (P<0.05) lymphoproliferative responses in hot water, methanolic and polysaccharide extracts of Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus sajor-caju and Lentinus edodes relative to control. Antibody titers (total Ig, IgM and IgG) were higher in hot water, methanolic and polysaccharide extracts of Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus sajor-caju and Lentinus edodes relative to control. Weight gains of the chickens administered with hot water, methanolic and polysaccharide extracts of Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus sajor- caju and Lentinus edodes were significantly higher (P<0.05) relative to control. FCR of the experimental groups also showed lower values in comparison to control. After mixed species infection of Eimeria, maximum protection (60 per cent) was observed in polysaccharide extracts of Lentinus edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus followed by methanolic extracts of Lentinus edodes and Pleurotus sajor-caju (55 per cent), hot water extract of Lentinus edodes (50 per cent), methanolic and polysaccharide extracts of Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus sajor-caju (45 per cent), hot water extracts of Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus sajor-caju (40 per cent), respectively. However, control groups in both experiments showed minimum per cent protection (15 and 20 per cent). Significantly lower (P<0.05) oocyst per gram of droppings (OPG) were noticed in experimental groups relative to control in both experiments. Experimental groups showed lower lesion scoring relative to control. Weight gains post infections were significantly higher (P<0.05) in experimental groups relative to control. Organ body weight ratios of the lymphoid organs were also observed but ratios obtained were statistically non- significant (P>0.05).