In piglets an infection with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains leads to high economic losses as a result of a constant high morbidity and mortality. The incidence of neonatal diarrhea in piglets depends on concentration of antibodies in sow’s colostrum. While piglets are protected by the antibodies in sow’s milk, the predisposition for postweaning diarrhea increases with weaning. Additional factors to the immunological gap, including abrupt changes in diet, an increase in stomach pH, and changes in the enzymatic and cellular configuration of the intestine lead to dysbiosis.
Several medicinal plant species are known for their antibacterial properties. Allium sativum L. (AS) exhibits antibacterial, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, therefore it may be used for prophylaxis and treatment of diarrhea [1]. Based on a systematic review [1], 16 peer-reviewed references, 2 textbooks on veterinary phytotherapy, ESCOP and Commission E monographs were screened regarding scientific proven or recommended daily dosages of dry plant equivalent (DEV). Due to a lack of given data, for only 3 peer-reviewed references (pigs: 1; cattle: 1; poultry: 1) a dosage calculation was possible. To include data from studies with human and different animal species, the amount of used DEV was calculated in g/kg metabolic body weight (MBW) per day (table 1). Daily dosages range from a minimum of 30 mg to a maximum of 1052 mg DEV AS/kg MBW (mean: 520.8 mg; median: 557 mg).
Acknowledgements: The authors gratefully thank the Swiss retailer Migros for funding this study.
References:
1. Ayrle, H., Mevissen, M., Kaske, M., Nathues, H., Grützner, N., Melzig, M., Walkenhorst, M., Medicinal plants – prophylactic and therapeutic options for gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in calves and piglets? A sytematic review. BMC Veterinary Research (2016) 12:89; DOI 10.1186/s12917-016-0714-8