Bactericidal Capacity of Serum and Enhancement of Specific Cell-Mediated Immunity Subsequent to Hipopphae Rhamnoides Treatment in Pigs,

Summary

Low-input farming subject’s swine to increased immune stress and subsequent infectious risk, which could be
prevented by phytotherapy. Hypopphae rhamnoides is a widespread shrub in both Europe and Asia. The research
aimed at investigating the influence of a whole fruit extract on antibacterial effect of the serum in extensively
raised, two batches, sea buckthorn in vivo treated/untreated pigs. Scavenging effect over DPPH was used to
estimate the antioxidant potential of the sea buckthorn commercial syrup (Steaua Divina©). Minimal inhibiting
(MIC) and minimal bactericidal (MBC) capacity of the serum were tested and spectrophotometrically measured
against Shigella spp., Kitococcus sedentarius, Staphylococcus werneri and Staphylococcus sciuri. The antioxidant
activity of the syrup was intermediate (54.65 %). Sera from treated pigs had bactericidal and bacteriostatic effect
on Shigella spp. and S. sciuri, respectively. Shigella spp. growth was inhibited at serum dilutions of ½-1/32 while
much lower ½-1/4 dilutions were active against S. sciuri. In untreated pigs, the sera were inefficient in either
stopping or totally inhibiting bacterial growth. The MBC and MIC values obtained for the sera of pigs treated with
Hippophae rhamnoides syrup supported the positive effect of the in vivo treatment inducive of potential
protection against bacterial diseases.