Exploring the Immune-Boosting Effects of Cyrtocarpa Edulis Fruit on Fish

Jim Crocker
30th January, 2024

Exploring the Immune-Boosting Effects of Cyrtocarpa Edulis Fruit on Fish

Cimarron plum (Cyrtocarpa edulis) tree.

Photo adapted from: Bill Levine / CC BY (Source)
Fish farming, or aquaculture, is a rapidly growing industry vital for global food security. However, intensive farming practices can lead to disease outbreaks, prompting a search for alternatives to traditional antibiotics and chemical treatments. These alternatives need to be both effective and environmentally sustainable. Researchers at CIBNOR have investigated the potential of a fruit, Cyrtocarpa edulis, as a natural immunostimulant – a substance that boosts the fish’s immune system[1]. The study focused on the Almaco jack ( Seriola rivoliana), a commercially important fish species. The research team conducted a series of experiments to determine the fruit’s chemical composition, antioxidant properties, and its ability to enhance the fish’s immune defenses. Chemical analysis revealed that C. edulis fruit is rich in carbohydrates and phytosterols (plant-derived compounds with cholesterol-like structures), as well as significant levels of phenols, flavonoids, and tannins – all known for their antioxidant capabilities. Antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. The researchers then tested the fruit’s effect on the fish’s immune system in three ways: in vitro (in a test tube), in vivo (within a living organism), and ex vivo (on tissues removed from a living organism). In vitro experiments showed that the fruit extract stimulated the innate immune response in immune cells taken from the fish’s head kidney – a key organ in the fish immune system. This innate immune response is the first line of defense against pathogens. Moving to in vivo studies, fish were fed a diet supplemented with 0.5% C. edulis fruit for four weeks. The researchers observed increased levels of myeloperoxidase and nitric oxide in the skin mucus of these fish. Myeloperoxidase is an enzyme involved in destroying pathogens, while nitric oxide has antimicrobial properties. Importantly, they also found increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, suggesting the fruit helped protect the fish from oxidative stress. Gene expression analysis in the intestine revealed increased levels of genes associated with immune function, including those coding for proteins like IL-β, TNF-α, MARCO, and Piscidin. These proteins play crucial roles in inflammation and defense against bacteria. The final set of ex vivo experiments involved exposing immune cells from fish fed the fruit to Aeromonas hydrophila, a common bacterial pathogen in aquaculture. The results showed that the immune cells from these fish were better equipped to fight off the infection, exhibiting enhanced phagocytosis (engulfing and destroying pathogens), respiratory burst (production of reactive oxygen species to kill pathogens), myeloperoxidase activity, and nitric oxide production. These findings align with a growing body of research exploring the use of medicinal plants to enhance fish immunity[2]. Similar to how various herbs, seeds, and spices have been used to stimulate both cellular and humoral immune responses in fish, C. edulis appears to offer a natural way to bolster the fish’s defenses. Determining the optimal dosage is crucial, as highlighted in previous work[2], to avoid potential immunosuppression. Interestingly, the study’s focus on skin mucus and intestinal gene expression provides new insights into how dietary components can influence immune function at these key barrier sites. This builds on earlier research demonstrating the impact of dietary manipulation on skin wound healing in fish, specifically showing how silk fibroin supplementation can influence methionine levels and epithelial healing[3]. While the mechanisms differ, both studies underscore the potential of dietary interventions to modulate physiological processes in fish. Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity of C. edulis fruit, as demonstrated by its high phenol, flavonoid, and tannin content, is consistent with recent advancements in antioxidant capacity measurement techniques[4], allowing for more accurate comparisons between different compounds. The research also echoes the ethnopharmacological understanding of plant-based remedies, as seen in studies of Cyrtocarpa procera bark[5], which demonstrated polypharmacological activities including gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. This suggests that Cyrtocarpa species, in general, possess valuable medicinal properties.

FruitsMedicineAnimal Science

References

Main Study

1) Cyrtocarpa edulis fruit and its immunostimulant effect on Almaco Jack Seriola rivoliana: in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo studies.

Published 29th January, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-024-10309-z

Related Studies

2) Role of medicinal plants on growth performance and immune status in fish.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2017.05.034

3) Skin mucus metabolomics provides insights into the interplay between diet and wound in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108590

4) Determination of reducing power and metal chelating ability of antioxidant peptides: revisited methods.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.02.147

5) Contribution to the ethnopharmacological and anti-Helicobacter pylori knowledge of Cyrtocarpa procera Kunth (Anacardiaceae).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.07.001


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