This study investigated the effects of two source carotenoids on the hepatosomatic index (HSI) and the gonadosomatic index (GSI) of the goldfish (Carassius auratus). For this experiment, six diets containing concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 mg carotenoid kg-1 of synthetic astaxanthin and β-carotene were added to a basic carp diet, while one group of fish was fed a control diet (no added carotenoids). Fiberglass tanks were used for the study, which was performed from January to April of 2013. During the breeding period, the hepatosomatic (HSI) and gonadosomatic (GSI) indices were exa- mined monthly, along with the total carotenoid levels in the ovaries and livers of female goldfish broodstock. A significant positive correlation was observed between total carotenoids in both the liver and ovary tissues and GSI after 90 and 120 days of the experiment. The HSI was not affected by the carotenoid-enriched diets. However, the carotenoid-enriched diets resulted in greater accumulation of carotenoids in the gonads. β-carotene-enriched diets (B150) led to greater accumulation of carotenoids in the liver after 90 days. Lastly, we found that diets containing higher levels of astaxanthin and β-carotene improve the GSI in goldfish broodstock.

Este estudio investiga el efecto de dos fuentes de carotenoides sobre el índice hepatosomático (HSI) y el índice gonadosomático (GSI) de la carpa dorada (Carassius auratus). En este experimento, se adicionaron seis dietas conteniendo concentraciones de 50, 100 y 150 mg carotenoide kg-1 de astaxantina sintética y β-caroteno a una dieta de carpa, mientras a otro grupo de peces se le suministró una dieta control (sin carotenoides). Se utilizaron estanques de fibra de vidrio de enero a abril 2013. Durante el periodo experimental, el HSI y el GSI se examinaron mensualmente junto con la concentración de carotenoides totales en ovario e hígado de hembras. Una correlación positiva significativa se encontró entre el total de carotenoides aportados en la dieta y el hígado, ovario y el GSI después de 90 y 120 días de experimento. El HSI no fue afectado por las dietas enriquecidas con carotenoides. Sin embargo, las dietas con carotenoides mostraron un mayor acumulación de carotenoides en las gónadas. La dieta con β-carotenos (B150) presentó una mayor acumulación de carotenoides en el hígado después de 90 días. Finalmente, se encontró que las dietas que contenían el nivel más alto de astaxantina y β-caroteno mejoraron el GSI en los reproductores de carpa dorada.

The gastrointestinal tract is one of the most important organs of the human body and is vulnerable to different diseases. Available drugs often have low efficacy or are associated with many adverse effects. Therefore, alternative drugs are necessary to treat gastrointestinal complications. This study intended to identify medicinal plants in Urmia, Iran, that can affect common gastrointestinal disorders and diseases. Data was collected from public resources via interviews and questionnaires applied from April to June 2013. Herbarium specimens were collected from the region and authenticated by a botanist. A total of 41 indigenous medicinal plants from the Urmia region, belonging to twenty families, have a traditional medicinal role in the treatment of parasitic and infectious diseases, diarrhea, reflux, gastroenteritis, peptic ulcer, constipation, bloating, among other gastrointestinal tract disorders. Analysis showed that most plants affecting the gastrointestinal tract belonged in the Asteraceae family (24%). The most used part of the plants was the seed at 17%. Decoction at 65% was the most popular form of treatment used. Some of the medicinal plants discussed in this article have new implications presented for the first time. Pharmacological studies on the therapeutic effects of the indigenous plants mentioned in this study are necessary in order to investigate their claimed clinical effects and the use of their effective compounds to produce natural and useful drugs. Currently, there is no data on the herbal plants used to treat gastrointestinal disorders in northwestern Iran. Therefore, these findings are important for the management of gastrointestinal disorders and to conduct future studies on traditional medicine for drug development.