1PhD Research Scholar, Banasthali Vidyapith, Bikaner-334001 (Rajasthan), India
2Senior Scientist, National Research Centre on Camel, Jorbeer, Bikaner-334001 (Rajasthan), India
Online published on 19 December, 2013.
Livestock forms an important constituent of economy with India comprising of more than 530 million animals of the total world livestock population according to the census of 2012. The cause of stressful conditions in animals can be due to physiological conditions (pregnancy, lactation etc.) pathological conditions (infectious, systemic, metabolic diseases etc.) environmental stress (variation of temperature and climate), natural calamities, predators, transportation, diet and chemicals. The response to these stressors by the animal produces adverse effects on immune system, growth, production, overall health and feed conversion efficiency. In animals the stress response is useful as a protection mechanism. Immunomodulators modulate the immune system either by stimulating or suppressing it and can be used to relieve the harmful effects of stress. The herbal immunomodulators are safe, eco-friendly and there is no noticeable toxicity found at acute or sub acute level. They help the animal to cope better during stress and related disorders by combating or restoring immune functions and play a vital role in animal's health by up-regulating the immune system. WHO recommended the use of herbal agents in veterinary field. Herbal immunomodulators can be used as sole and supplementary therapeutic agents to alleviate stress. The commonly used herbal immunomodulators for stress are Azadirachta indica, Withania somnifera, Ocimum sanctum, Tinospora cordifolia, Asparagus racemosus, Emblica officinalis etc. The present paper discusses the role and importance of herbal immunomodulators with their active ingredients and clinical indications in alleviating the stress conditions in animals.
