Aqueous Extract of Heracleum persicum Desf. Enhances Immune Response of Common Carp, Cyprinus carpio, and Protection Against Aeromonas hydrophila

Heracleum persicum Desf. (Apiaceae), a medicinal plant native to Iran, has been known to be a potent immunomodulatory agent in mice. In the present study, its immunomodulatory properties in common carp (Ciprinus carpio) were investigated. Fish were intraperitoneally injected with 6, 60 or 600 mg/kg body weight, of the water-soluble fraction. H. Persicum at medium and high doses (60 and 600 mg/kg BW, respectively) significantly (p < 0.05) increased some non-specific immune parameters such as serum lysozyme and bactericidal activities, phagocytic and respiratory burst activities, total leukocyte count (TLC), lymphocyte, monocyte and neutrophil number. Disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila has also been increased in medium-dose- and high-dose-treated fish. This preliminary study indicates the potential use of H. persicum for controlling infectious diseases in aquaculture.