Immunomodulatory effects of turmeric, Curcuma longa (Magnoliophyta, Zingiberaceae) on Microbrachium rosengergii (Crustacea, Palaemonidae) against Vibrio alginolyticus (Proteobacteria, Vibrionaceae)

• Main Authors: Alambra, Jennifer R., Alenton, Rod Russel R., Gulpeo, Pia Clarisse R., Mecenas, Chrsitine L., Miranda, Abigail P., Thomas, Rey C., Velando, Maden Krista S., Vitug, Laawrence D., Maningas, Mary Beth B.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2012
• Subjects: Turmeric; Macrobrachium rosenbergii; Lysozyme; Biology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/12043
• Institution: De La Salle University

Macrobrachium rosenbergii is being favored for farming due to its large size. However, like other crustaceans, it is also prone to bacterial and viral infections. Turmeric, a derivative of the plant Curcuma longa, is a spice commonly used in Middle East and Asia as an herbal remedy. Immuno-modulatory effects of turmeric powder on hemocyte population and expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) of M. rosenbergii challenged with Vibrio alginolyticus was investigated. Eighty (80) juveniles of M. rosenbergii were divided into three groups labeled as D0, D1 and D7 (Day 0, 1 and 7 respectively). D0 were fed with commercial feeds while D1 and D7 were fed with turmeric-incorporated (enhanced) feeds for one and seven days respectively. The total hemocyte count (THC) of D0 remained constant and a significant increase was observed from D1 to D7 treatment. Prawns were challenged with V. alginolyticus and total RNA was isolated and synthesized into cDNAs from hepatopancreas. RT-PCR was performed with crustin and lysozyme as target genes and EF-1α as the reference gene. PCR products were run through 1% agarose gel electrophoresis. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed an increasing expression of crustin and lysozyme PCR relative to duration of feeding, indicating a remarkable increase in the expression of AMPs (antimicrobial peptides). Challenged prawns fed with enhanced feeds also had an induced expression of AMPs. It is noteworthy to mention that this is the first report on AMPs expression in M. rosenbergii.