Efficacy of garlic and cinnamon as an alternative to chemotherapeutic agents in controlling Saprolegnia infection in Nile tilapia

Abstract

The objective of this study was to minimize the utilization of chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of fungal infections in fish, as these agents can adversely impact human and animal health as well as the environment. Nile Tilapia was utilized in this study to assess the efficacy of incorporating garlic and cinnamon into their diet, aiming to enhance their immune systems and provide protection against Saprolegnia, a fungal pathogen that causes substantial economic losses in the fish farming industry. The findings indicated that the inclusion of garlic and cinnamon to the fish's diet enhanced their immune response and various blood parameters. Specifically, group 4, treated with 1.5% garlic, demonstrated superior outcomes compared to group 5, which received 2% garlic treatment. Additionally, group 6, subjected to 8.5% cinnamon treatment, exhibited superior hematological parameters when compared to group 7, which received 10% cinnamon treatment. Moreover, group 6 displayed the highest phagocytic activity in comparison to the remaining groups. In conclusion, garlic and cinnamon can serve as valuable immunostimulants for managing fungal infections in fish. Their inclusion in the diet enhances the immune response, consequently bolstering the fish's resistance to fungal infections.