Abstract
Fish infectious diseases are one of the main constraints of the aquaculture sector. The use of medicinal plants provides a sustainable way of protection using safe, eco-friendly compounds in a more cost-effective way of treatment, compared to antibiotics. The aim of the present study is the assessment of Artemisia arborescens (AA) feed-supplementation effects on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Fish with an average initial body weight of 109.43 ± 3.81 g, were divided into two groups based on AA feed composition (A25 and A50). Following two months of ad libitum feeding, the effect of diets on fish weight and length were measured. Fish serum and mucus were analyzed for non-specific immune parameters (nitric oxide, lysozyme, myeloperoxidase, protease-/anti-protease activity, and complement), antibody responses, oxidative stress (cytochrome P450 1A1, metallothionein), and metabolism markers (total protein, alkaline phosphatase, and glucose). Expression levels of antioxidants (sod1, gpx1), cytokines (il-1b, il-10, tfgb1, and tnfa), hepcidin, and heat shock protein grp75 genes were measured in spleen samples. A results analysis indicated that A. arborescens use as a feed supplement has a compromised positive effect on the growth performance, immune response, and blood parameters of gilthead seabream. Overall, the suitability of A. arborescens as an efficient food supplement for gilthead seabream health improvement was investigated, setting the basis for its application assessment in Mediterranean aquaculture.