Herbal supplements are suitable for improving fish health and combating diseases in fish culture. However, the mechanism of action of many herbal mixtures remains unclear. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM; a mix of Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica sinensis, and Crataegus hupehensis at a ratio of 1:1:1 on a weight basis) on growth, immune response, and disease resistance in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Experimental fish (mean ± SE weight = 57 ± 1 g) were divided into two groups: a control group and a TCM (10 g/kg) group. After 4 weeks of the experimental trial, a significant increase in weight gain and specific growth rate and a lower feed conversion ratio were observed in fish fed a TCM-supplemented diet compared with control fish. Similarly, the immune response of Nile Tilapia in the TCM group showed enhanced lysozyme, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and immunoglobulin levels compared with the control fish. In comparison with the control, fish fed TCM showed significant up-regulation of β-defensin, lysozyme, heat shock protein 70, superoxide dismutase, and catalase genes in the intestine and head-kidney tissues. After a Streptococcus agalactiae challenge, survival of Nile Tilapia in the TCM group was 70% compared with 35% in the control. These results indicate that the TCM mixture in this study can elevate the immune response and disease resistance of Nile Tilapia.

中文翻译：

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中药增强尼罗罗非鱼的生长、免疫反应和对无乳链球菌的抵抗力

草药补充剂适用于改善鱼类健康和对抗鱼类养殖中的疾病。然而，许多草药混合物的作用机制仍不清楚。本研究旨在评估中药（中药；黄芪、当归和山楂以 1:1:1 的重量比混合）对生长、免疫反应和抗病能力的影响。在尼罗罗非鱼 Oreochromis niloticus。实验鱼（平均±SE体重=57±1克）分为两组：对照组和中药（10克/公斤）组。实验试验 4 周后，与对照鱼相比，在饲喂 TCM 补充饲料的鱼中观察到体重增加和比生长率显着增加，饲料转化率降低。相似地，与对照鱼相比，中药组尼罗罗非鱼的免疫反应显示溶菌酶、超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶和免疫球蛋白水平增强。与对照组相比，喂食中药的鱼在肠道和头肾组织中显示出β-防御素、溶菌酶、热休克蛋白 70、超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶基因的显着上调。在无乳链球菌攻击后，TCM 组尼罗罗非鱼的存活率为 70%，而对照组为 35%。这些结果表明，本研究中的中药合剂可以提高尼罗罗非鱼的免疫反应和抗病能力。肠和头肾组织中的溶菌酶、热休克蛋白 70、超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶基因。在无乳链球菌攻击后，TCM 组尼罗罗非鱼的存活率为 70%，而对照组为 35%。这些结果表明，本研究中的中药合剂可以提高尼罗罗非鱼的免疫反应和抗病能力。肠和头肾组织中的溶菌酶、热休克蛋白 70、超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶基因。在无乳链球菌攻击后，TCM 组尼罗罗非鱼的存活率为 70%，而对照组为 35%。这些结果表明，本研究中的中药合剂可以提高尼罗罗非鱼的免疫反应和抗病能力。