Abstract Book - 3rd International Symposium on Medicinal Plants ...

10.10 Medical Plant Tribulus terrestris as Additive in Animal Nutrition
Petkova Mariana and Grigorova Svetlana
Institute of Animal Science Kostinbrod, 2232 Bulgaria.
<strong>Abstract</strong>: The extract from the annual herb Tribulus terrestris L. (TT) is extremely rich in
biological active substances such as furostanol saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides,
vitamins and other constituents in general. It is commonly used in the folk medicine of many
countries for different purposes because of its anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-helminthic, antifungal,
and antiviral effects. However, Bulgarian product, in comparison with those from other
origin (China, India, America, Japan, Korea etc.), contents more saponins of the furostanol type:
protodioscin and protogracilin which are the main active components of this medical plant. The
objective of this paper is to review and analyze the results of studies with animals received as
additive of products from Tribulus terrestris by feed or water. Recently, experiments with various
farm animals (rams, poultry, rabbits, bulls) proved the beneficial effect of TT dry extract on:
productivity; sperm quality; biochemical changes of blood parameters and qualities of meat and
eggs. The paper presents also the review of results from our own investigations. It was found that
the tested product increased the laying intensity of hens (P≥0.05), guinea fowls (P≤0.05), quails
(P≤0.001). Egg morphological characteristics as well as sperm quality of rams, cocks and bulls are
improved under treatments. The addition of TT dry extract leads to decreasing of blood serum
cholesterol in hens and cocks (P≥0.05), in guinea fowls (P≤0.01). The concentration of glucose in
the blood serum was high significant lowered (P≤0.001) in hens, guinea fowls and bulls. The level
of Ca blood serum increased (P≤0.01) only in female experimental birds (guinea fowls and hens).
Additionally, in growing rabbits received TT extract, we observed enhancement of the average
daily gain, carcass performance and meat chemical composition, dependent on the sex of animals
and the level of additive. The supplementation of the TT dry extract does not influence negatively
on the sensor properties of table eggs. The blood testosterone level in bulls was significant higher
(P< 0.01) at the end of treatment in relation to the level at the beginning of investigation. We made
conclusions for beneficial effects of medical plant Tribulus terrestris and the possibilities for using
its products in animal nutrition. The proper concentration in the daily rations and the concentrate
mixtures are also given.
Key words: Animal, biological active substances, extract, , nutrition, Tribulus terrestris L..
10.11 Herbal Medicine for Animal Health in the Region of Central Slovakia
Poracova, Janka 1 , Blascakova, Marta 1 , Kotosova, Janka 2 , and Sedlak,
Vincent 2
1 Department of Biology, Excellence Centre of Human and Animal Ecology, Presov University in
Presov. 2 Department of Ecology, Presov University in Presov, Faculty of Humanities and Natural
Sciences, Presov, Slovak Republic
<strong>Abstract</strong>: In the last few decades rise the interest and use of herbal medicinal products, plant
material or its crude extracts in the human and veterinary medicine. This general interest has been
followed by increasing scientific and commercial interest in traditional medicines. This work´s
focused on finding medicinal plants that are most used for digestive disorders, skin, and
inflammatory respiratory diseases in animals in Central Slovakia. By questionnaire inquiry we
investigated the use of medicinal plant species in animals in the region of Central Slovakia –
Banska Bystrica and Zilina regions. We asked 256 respondents who answered questions
concerning the use of medicinal plants for various diseases of domestic animals, especially in
diseases of the digestive tract, skin diseases and injuries, inflammatory respiratory diseases. Many
plant extracts, essential oils, teas and other preparations are used in our country at diseases of
economically important domestic animals or pets. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale L.), coriander
seed (Coriandrum sativum L.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), onion (Allium cepa L.), yarrow
(Achillea millefolium L.), yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea L.) and others are especially used for
treatment of the digestive problems in animals in Central Slovakia. For the treatment of skin
diseases are used ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), St. John's Wort (Hypericum
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