Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Effect of dietary Lippia citriodora extract on reproductive and productive performance and plasma biochemical parameters in rabbit does

D. Casamassima A , M. Palazzo A , F. Vizzarri B E , L. Ondruska C , P. Massanyi D and C. Corino B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Via De Sanctis, snc, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy.

B Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Via Celoria, 1, University of Milano, Italy.

C Animal Production Research Centre Nitra, 951 41 Luzianky, Slovak Republic.

D Department of Animal Physiology, Slovak University of Agriculture, 949 72 Nitra, Slovak Republic.

E Corresponding author. Email: francesco.vizzarri@unimol.it

Animal Production Science 57(1) 65-73 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN14845
Submitted: 23 July 2014  Accepted: 7 August 2015   Published: 15 September 2015

Abstract

Two doses of natural extract from Lippia citriodora (titrated in verbascoside) were assessed in New Zealand White rabbit does evaluating selected reproductive, productive and plasma biochemical parameters. After 1 week of adaptation period, the trial on 45 rabbit does for three consecutive reproductive cycles was conducted; does were divided into three groups of 15 animals each, homogenous by age (1 year ± 2 weeks), bodyweight (4.77 ± 0.21 kg) and parity (2 ± 1). A control group (CON) did not receive the dietary supplement in the feed and the other two groups received 1 g of natural extract supplement in the feed (5 mg verbascoside/kg feed; LNE) and 2 g of natural extract (10 mg verbascoside/kg feed; HNE). The use of a dietary NE supplement improved kit bodyweight at weaning (934 vs 1104 g; P < 0.001), and average daily weight gain from birth to weaning (24.7 vs 29.7 g/day; P < 0.001), with no NE dose effect. In the LNE and HNE groups serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, bilirubin, and activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.05) and aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.01) decreased and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.01) increased, according to the cycle effect. The dietary supplement also improved blood oxidative status markers in the experimental groups due to an increase in the concentrations of plasma vitamin A and E (P < 0.01) and a decrease in plasma reactive oxygen metabolites and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the dietary Lippia NE supplement improved selected productive and reproductive parameters and the animal welfare of does, expressed by a general improvement of blood profile, with no effect of the dose.

Additional keywords: rabbit doe, reactive oxygen species, serum metabolites, verbascoside.


References

Albert-Puelo M (1980) Fennel and anise estrogenic agents. Ethnopharmacology 2, 337–344.
Fennel and anise estrogenic agents.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Aliyu R, Gatsing D, Jaryum KH (2007) The effects of Boswellia dalzielii (Burseraceae) aqueous bark extract on rat liver function. Asian Journal of Biochemistry 2, 359–363.
The effects of Boswellia dalzielii (Burseraceae) aqueous bark extract on rat liver function.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Association of official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) (2000) Official Methods of Analysis. Vol. 2, 18th edn. Arlington (WA) USA: AOAC.

Borashan FA, Ilkhanipoor M, Hashemi M, Farrokhi F (2009) Investigation the effects of curcumin on serum hepatic enzymes activity in a rheumatoid arthritis model. Electronic Journal of Biology 4, 129–133.

Bursill C, Roach P (2007) A green tea catechin extract upregulates the hepatic low density lipoprotein receptor in rats. Lipids 42, 621–627.
A green tea catechin extract upregulates the hepatic low density lipoprotein receptor in rats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXot1Ohurk%3D&md5=3dfc251d40e0b174bbf71c6cc88a1932CAS | 17582541PubMed |

Casamassima D, Palazzo M, Martemucci G, Vizzarri F, Corino C (2012) Effects of verbascoside on plasma oxidative status and blood and milk production parameters during the peripartum period in Lacaune ewes. Small Ruminant Research 105, 1–8.
Effects of verbascoside on plasma oxidative status and blood and milk production parameters during the peripartum period in Lacaune ewes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Casamassima D, Palazzo M, D’Alessandro AG, Colella GE, Vizzarri F, Corino C (2013a) The effect of lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora) verbascoside on productive performances, plasma oxidative status, and some blood metabolites in suckling lambs. Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences 22, 204–212.

Casamassima D, Palazzo M, Vizzarri F, Cinone M, Corino C (2013b) Effect of dietary phenylpropanoid glycoside-based natural extracts on blood parameters and productive performance in intensively-reared young hares. Czech Journal of Animal Science 58, 270–278.

Casamassima D, Palazzo M, Vizzarri F, Costagliola C, Mosca M, Ambrosone L (2013c) Effects of verbascoside-based diet on blood and plasma constituents of rabbit. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 32, 391–398.
Effects of verbascoside-based diet on blood and plasma constituents of rabbit.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXhs1ShsLY%3D&md5=745e5334d9604534f311667b9304d031CAS | 24606712PubMed |

Case GL, He L, Helson CE (1995) Induction of geranyl pyrophosphatase activity by cholesterol suppressive isoprenoid. Lipids 30, 357–359.
Induction of geranyl pyrophosphatase activity by cholesterol suppressive isoprenoid.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXltFCqur4%3D&md5=b3f05792e28f8aaa2d3f907c94338eafCAS | 7609605PubMed |

Cesarone MR, Belcaro G, Carratelli M, Cornelli U, De Sanctis MT, Incandela L, Barsotti A, Terranova R, Nicolaides A (1999) A simple test to monitor oxidative stress. International Angiology 18, 127–130.

Corino C, Cannata S, Musella M, Pastorelli G, Rossi R (2007) Influence of verbascoside on lipid profile in weaned piglets. In ‘Proceedings of FENS 10th European Conference’, 10–13 July, Paris, France. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism 51, 270.

Deepak M, Handa SS (2000) Anti-inflammatory activity and chemical composition of extract of Verbena officinalis. Phytotherapy Research 14, 463–465.
Anti-inflammatory activity and chemical composition of extract of Verbena officinalis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXntFOhurk%3D&md5=e6dabea66c33668991fd9816102c338bCAS | 10960904PubMed |

Eid YZ (2008) Dietary grape pomace affects lipid peroxidation and antioxidative status in rabbit semen. World Rabbit Science 16, 157–164.

Eid YZ, Zeweil H, Ahmed MH, Basyony M, Farok M (2011) Effect of plant source of omega-3 fatty acids and green tea powder on the performance and meat quality of growing rabbits. Egyptian Journal of Rabbit Science 20, 115–134.

Esposito E, Mazzon E, Paterniti I, Dal Toso R, Pressi G, Caminiti R, Cuzzocrea S (2010) PPARα contributes to the anti-inflammatory activity of verbascoside in a model of inflammatory bowel disease in mice. PPAR Research 2010,
PPARα contributes to the anti-inflammatory activity of verbascoside in a model of inflammatory bowel disease in mice.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20671911PubMed |

Esterbauer H, Zollner H (1989) Methods for determination of aldehydic lipid perioxidation products. Free Radical Biology & Medicine 7, 197–203.
Methods for determination of aldehydic lipid perioxidation products.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXmt1Ohtb0%3D&md5=1e36898b492be7d6c1d84919520ebee3CAS |

Fontenelle ROS, Morais SM, Brito EHS, Kerntopf MR, Brilhante RSN, Cordeiro RA, Tome AR, Queiroz MGR, Nascimento NRF, Sidrim JJC, Rocha MFG (2007) Chemical composition, toxicological aspects and antifungal activity of essential oil from Lippia sidoides Cham. The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 59, 934–940.
Chemical composition, toxicological aspects and antifungal activity of essential oil from Lippia sidoides Cham.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXmt1elsr8%3D&md5=5f05041ebc1e6b0f006a7108b41ea785CAS |

Funes L, Fernandez AS, Laporta O, Pons A, Roche E, Segura CA, Fernandez GA, Micol V (2009) Correlation between plasma antioxidant capacity and verbascoside levels in rats after oral administration of lemon verbena extract. Food Chemistry 117, 589–598.
Correlation between plasma antioxidant capacity and verbascoside levels in rats after oral administration of lemon verbena extract.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXotVGqs7s%3D&md5=7f32c49446e3b0369552fec66016620dCAS |

Gitto E, Reiter RJ, Karbownik M, Tan D, Gitto P, Barber IS, Barberi I (2002) Causes of oxidative stress in the pre- and perinatal period. Biology of the Neonate 81, 146–157.
Causes of oxidative stress in the pre- and perinatal period.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XjtFSjs7Y%3D&md5=61f5d9ce6670dbc25bbb364f1315cd6eCAS | 11937719PubMed |

Hope W, Dalton C, Machlin L, Filipski R, Vane F (1975) Influence of dietary vitamin E on prostaglandin biosynthesis in rat blood. Prostaglandine 10, 557–571.

Huang THW, Kota BP, Razmovski V, Roufogalis B (2005) Herbal or natural medicines as modulators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and related nuclear receptors for therapy of metabolic syndrome. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology 96, 3–14.
Herbal or natural medicines as modulators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and related nuclear receptors for therapy of metabolic syndrome.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXhsFeksb0%3D&md5=86d8cb09dcee2d55acca146e67edde41CAS |

Kamiloglu NN, Beytut E, Aksakal M (2006) Alteration in antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation of sheep previously treated with vitamin A and β-carotene during breeding and periparturient period. Bulletin of the Veterinary Institute in Pulawy 50, 171–177.

Kirschvink N, Moffart B, Lekeux P (2008) The oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium in horses. Veterinary Journal (London, England) 177, 178–191.
The oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium in horses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXnt1amur4%3D&md5=e2d06253319bd8d06da88fe6c3d992f9CAS |

Kobayashi T, Tsunawaki S, Seguchi H (2001) Evaluation of the process for superoxide production by NADPH oxidase in human neutrophils: evidence for cytoplasmic origin of superoxide. Redox Report: Communication in Free Radical Research 6, 27–36.
Evaluation of the process for superoxide production by NADPH oxidase in human neutrophils: evidence for cytoplasmic origin of superoxide.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXjsFSmur0%3D&md5=b5df68bb5292295a1b1eb15ea8f3fbeaCAS |

Lykkesfeldt J, Svendsen O (2007) Oxidants and antioxidants in disease: oxidative stress in farm animals. Veterinary Journal (London, England) 173, 502–511.
Oxidants and antioxidants in disease: oxidative stress in farm animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXlt1Sis74%3D&md5=3743a1696f160cbbe0e0d43dce92bf38CAS |

Norata GD, Pellegatta F, Catapano AL (2003) Peroxisome proliferators actives receptors and cardiovascular disorders. Italian Heart Journal 4, 8–18.

Okab AB, Samara EM, Abdoun KA, Rafay J, Ondruska L, Parkanyi V, Pivko J, Ayoub MA, Al-Haidary AA, Aljumaah RS, Peter M, Lukac N (2013) Effects of dietary seaweed (Ulva lactuca) supplementation on the reproductive performance of buck and doe rabbits. Journal of Applied Animal Research 41, 347–355.
Effects of dietary seaweed (Ulva lactuca) supplementation on the reproductive performance of buck and doe rabbits.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXntVGitL0%3D&md5=217c2344e8b71fc2218ae0a2c1a80d6fCAS |

Palazzo M, Vizzarri F, Cinone M, Corino C, Casamassima D (2011) Assessment of a natural dietary extract, titrated in phenylpropanoid glycosides, on blood parameters and plasma oxidative status in intensively reared Italian Hares (Lepus corsicanus). Animal 5–6, 844–850.
Assessment of a natural dietary extract, titrated in phenylpropanoid glycosides, on blood parameters and plasma oxidative status in intensively reared Italian Hares (Lepus corsicanus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pastorelli G, Rossi R, Corino C (2012) Influence of Lippia citriodora verbascoside on growth performance, antioxidant status, and serum immunoglobulins content in piglets. Czech Journal of Animal Science 57, 312–322.

Piccinelli AL, De Simone F, Passi S, Rastrelli L (2004) Phenolic constituents and antioxidant activity of Wendita calysina leaves (burrito), a folk Paraguayan tea. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 52, 5863–5868.
Phenolic constituents and antioxidant activity of Wendita calysina leaves (burrito), a folk Paraguayan tea.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXmslaqt7Y%3D&md5=e303dd2522b060cb63f702842e4d21d6CAS | 15366833PubMed |

Radwan NL (2003) Effect of using some medicinal plants on performance and immunity of broiler chicks (dissertation). Egypt (PA): Poultry Nutrition Department Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University.

Rashwan AA (1998) Effects of dietary additions of anise, fenugreek and caraway on reproductive and productive performance of New Zealand White rabbit does. Egyptian Journal of Rabbit Science 8, 157–167.

Sgorlon S, Stradaioli G, Stefanon B, Altimer G, Della-Loggia R (2005) Dietary grape polyphenols modulate oxidative stress in ageing rabbits. Italian.Journal of Animal Science 4, 541–543.

Valentão P, Fernandes E, Carvalho F, Andrade PB, Seabra RM, Bastos ML (2001) Antioxidant activity of Centaurium erythraea infusion evidenced by its superoxide radical scavenging and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 49, 3476–3479.
Antioxidant activity of Centaurium erythraea infusion evidenced by its superoxide radical scavenging and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 11453794PubMed |

Valentão P, Fernandes E, Carvalho F, Andrade PB, Seabra RM, Bastos ML (2002) Studies on the Antioxidant Activity of Lippia citriodora infusion: scavenging effect on superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical and hypochlorous acid. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin 25, 1324–1327.
Studies on the Antioxidant Activity of Lippia citriodora infusion: scavenging effect on superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical and hypochlorous acid.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Vitaglione P, Morisco F, Caporaso N, Fogliano V (2005) Dietary antioxidant compounds and liver health. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 44, 575–586.
Dietary antioxidant compounds and liver health.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Vizzarri F, Palazzo M, Corino C, Ondruska L, Rafay J, Massanyi P, Casamassima D (2012) Effect of dietary verbascoside-based supplementation on some meat quality traits of White New Zealand rabbit. In ‘Proceedings of the 25th international conference. The rabbit as an animal model and farm animal’. (Ed. L Ondruska) p. 87 (Animal Production Research Centre: Nitra, Luzianky, Slovac Republic)

Xiong Q, Hase K, Tezuka Y, Tani T, Namba T, Kadota S (1998) Hepatoprotective activity of phenylethanoids from Cistanche deserticola. Planta Medica 64, 120–125.
Hepatoprotective activity of phenylethanoids from Cistanche deserticola.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXhsVOmtbw%3D&md5=54eeb5c98aaf0c9af780d8458da5bf1bCAS | 9525102PubMed |

Zhao B, Tham SY, Lu J, Lai MH, Lee LKH, Moochhala SM (2004) Simultaneous determination of vitamin C, E and β-carotene in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography, with photodiode-array detection. Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences 7, 200–204.

Zhu QY, Huang Y, Tsang D, Chen ZY (1999) Regeneration of α-tocopherol in human low density lipoprotein by green tea catechin. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 47, 2020–2025.
Regeneration of α-tocopherol in human low density lipoprotein by green tea catechin.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXit12hsLw%3D&md5=1209d6b315ccd1f4b75e452ce918f92dCAS | 10552489PubMed |