Evaluation of Adaptogenic Activity of Dietary (Bitter Melon) Momordica charantia Seed Powder on (Nile tilapia) Oreochromis niloticus

Abstract

The primary objective of this investigation was to explore the potential relationship between adaptogenic constituents inherent to dietary Momordica charantia (bitter gourd) seeds and their ameliorative role during an increase in cortisol, a biomarker indicative of stress in Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia). M. charantia plant is used for medicine and has substantial pharmacological effects due to its bio-actives and phytochemical composition and also an adaptogens source. Six discrete dietary protocols were implemented. One functioned as the control group (denoted as C), while the remaining five involved the supplementation of MC seed powder at levels of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 g per 100g feed (g/100g). Among the groups, one showing the most substantial growth response (S10) was chosen for confinement stress protocol incorporation. Fish from both the C and the S10 group were exposed to a 1 hour confinement stressor, to evaluate the potential adaptogenic or anti-stress properties of MC seed in mitigating the stress-induced alterations in plasma cortisol levels and hepatic antioxidant activity level, since various oxidative processes are known to be involved in stress. The fish were subsequently allocated certain release times, including 0 (with immediate sampling), 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours. Then the fish were dissected for further examination after the end of their respective recovery periods. We employed an instantaneous sampling protocol to investigate the impact of a 1-hour confinement stress. This stress resulted in more elevation of plasma cortisol levels in C group but significantly (P< 0.001) less in S10 group fish treated with MC seed powder in diet, along with this significantly (0.001) enhanced activity levels of hepatic antioxidant enzymes(SOD, POD, CAT) and decrease in LPO level in S10 fish. Histological study also indicate pronounced protective effect on O.niloticus spleen fed with MC seed supplemented feeds. For O. niloticus, dietary MC seed supplementation can be advised for its adaptogenic and boosting immunostimulatory defense.