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Beneficial effects of medicinal plants in fish diseases

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Abstract

Fish are constantly in contact with pathogens inhabiting water. High population density as well as poor hydrodynamic conditions and feeding lead to an increased sensitivity towards infections. In order to prevent major economic losses due to diseases, various medications are used for treatment and prevention of infections. The use of antimicrobial drugs in aquacultures could lead to emergence of resistance in pathogenic microorganisms. Alternatives are being sought over the last few years to replace antibiotics, and medicinal plants are one of available options for this purpose. These plants are rich in secondary metabolites and phytochemical compounds, which have an effect against viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases in fish. Their main advantage is their natural origin and most of these plants do not represent threat for human health, the fish, and the environment. The goal of this review is to present information on the treatment of viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases in fish through medicinal plants, with focus on the mechanisms of action of the identified secondary metabolites, fractions, or plant extracts.

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Acknowledgements

Rhodes University is acknowledged for a Postdoctoral Fellowship to X. Siwe Noundou.

Funding

X. Siwe Noundou and R.W.M. Krause are thankful for a European Union FP7 IRSES (International Research Staff Exchange Scheme) grant (Grant Agreement Number: PIRSES-GA-2012-316067, Project Acronym: “HERBAL PROTECTION”, Call identifier FP7- PEOPLE-2012-IRSES).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food Hygiene and Control, Veterinary Legislation and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

    Deyan Stratev

  2. Department of Biology and Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, 6000, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

    Georgi Zhelyazkov

  3. Department of Chemistry, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa

    Xavier Siwe Noundou & Rui W. M. Krause

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  1. Deyan Stratev
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  2. Georgi Zhelyazkov
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  3. Xavier Siwe Noundou
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Correspondence to Deyan Stratev.

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Stratev, D., Zhelyazkov, G., Noundou, X.S. et al. Beneficial effects of medicinal plants in fish diseases. Aquacult Int 26, 289–308 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-017-0219-x

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