MODULATING EFFECT OF MEDICINAL PLANTS ON THE MOLECULAR BIOMARKERS IN FISH: IMMUNE-RELATED GENES

Medicinal plants are widely used in aquaculture to enhance immune status and control fish diseases. They stimulate both cellular and humoral immune response of fish through elevation of immune parameters and expression of immune-related genes. As a result, fish received medicinal plants show increased resistance against many pathogens and environmental stresses. This article describes a wide range of medicinal plants used in aquaculture as immunostimulants, resulting in a marked enhancement in the immune system of fish focusing on their effect on the expression immune-related genes.