INTRODUCTION:

Raising healthy young animals and protecting them from disease and death is one of the main tasks in modern animal husbandry. The problem presents difficulties because the bodies of newborn animals in the early days, due to morphofunctional features in the early postnatal period, are poorly adapted to adverse environmental factors. Therefore, some diseases, including dyspepsia, their course, preventive measures, and treatment have their own special characteristics in this group of animals^1-3.

The most acute problem for dairy farms for the breeding and rearing of cattle is the high number of newborn calves with dyspepsia. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the first 10 days after birth are widespread, as in most farms the disease of newborn calves reaches 90-100%, that is, the majority of calves get sick on the 2-3th day of life and they get sick again on the 5-7th day after birth, which causes significant economic damage resulting from a decrease in productivity, premature culling, and the cost of ongoing therapeutic and preventive measures^4-6.

Dyspepsia is a disease of the neonatal period, has a polyethological character, and can be caused by disorders that occur in utero and after birth. The disease usually occurs in young animals with weak natural body resistance, suffering from morphofunctional immaturity and therefore easily exposed to adverse environmental stress factors^7-10.

The main predisposing causes of the disease include inadequate feeding of breeding stock, the use of substandard feed, which leads to metabolic disorders, and a decrease in the immunological reactivity of both cows and young animals. Depending on the frequency, duration of exposure to etiological factors, and the depth of metabolic disorders, simple and toxic dyspepsia are distinguished, and alimentary, autoimmune, and toxic forms are distinguished depending on the causes^11,12.

The cause of alimentary dyspepsia is many abiotic, primarily alimentary factors that disrupt the normal development of the embryo and fetus and hurt newborns (poor colostrum quality, drinking chilled colostrum, hypothermia of newborns, etc.). Associations of opportunistic pathogenic microorganisms cause toxic dyspepsia, that is, it is an infectious disease resulting from dysbiosis due to various causes. The occurrence and development of toxic dyspepsia are facilitated by the late drinking of the first colostrum and, as a result, the immunodeficiency state of newborns. Continuous operation of calving pens and prophylactorium calf-houses, and disturbance of the disinfection system lead to huge contamination of the premises with microflora¹³.

Although many scientific papers and developments have focused on this problem, it has not been possible to achieve a 100% survival rate for young animals. Therefore, the development of new schemes and methods to diagnose, treat, and prevent of dyspepsia in calves is promising^14-16.

Traditional methods of treating calf dyspepsia using existing antibacterial agents do not always lead to a positive effect but often hurt the obligate microflora and the immune status of newborn calves. Irrational therapeutic tactics of using antibiotics, as well as their unjustified widespread use, lead to the appearance and increase of drug resistance of pathogenic microorganism strains. Due to the widespread use of antibiotics in animal husbandry, bacteria may cause a decrease in the effectiveness of medications^17-20.

There has recently been a need to replace antibiotics with alternative, environmentally friendly means of protecting animal health. Thus, practical veterinary medicine is faced with the task of introducing medicines and effective treatment regimens that would not exclude previously developed therapeutic and preventive measures but complement existing ones. The use of preparations made from medicinal plants meets such requirements^21-25.

Medicinal plants attract the attention of many specialists²⁶. As effective as new medicines are, medicinal herbs are still in high demand. In the modern arsenal of medicines, plant-based preparations account for 30-40%, and in some groups, they reach up to 70%. Many plant-based preparations are used as sedatives, astringents, expectorants, diuretics, anti-inflammatory agents, and other medicines. The advantage of medicinal plants over many synthetic medicines is that they have an integrated effect due to the content of various substances in them. The parts of medicinal plants in question always contain a complex of pharmacologically and biologically active substances. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish the main substances that determine the therapeutic value of plants^27,28.

The main advantage of biologically active substances of plants is that they are more easily absorbed by the body, unlike synthetic medicines. They are more easily involved in the process of vital activity and demonstrate a much greater bioavailability and relatively rare cases of intolerance or manifestations of drug disease. Phytopreparations usually have a wider range of pharmacological effects. Most importantly, they are active against strains of microorganisms and viruses that have already acquired resistance to antibiotics or other synthetic medicines. With a rational combination of phytopreparations with synthetic agents, their therapeutic possibilities are significantly expanded^29,30.

Medicinal plant preparations significantly increase the effectiveness of therapeutic and preventive measures for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in newborn calves. Phytopreparations have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, normalize the functional activity of the digestive system, and reduce exudation in the focus of inflammation. They promote the growth of granulation tissue, normalize motor and secretory functions, enzymatic activity, and acidity in the rennet stomach, and activate bile secretion^31-33.

The high therapeutic effectiveness of medicinal plant preparations was noted by K.E. Boranbayeva et al. in the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis in cattle³⁴. Increased immunological parameters in calves were noted by Sh.B. Turzhigitova et al.³⁵

The skillful use of phytopreparations makes it possible to reduce mortality, preserve livestock, reduce the consumption of expensive medicines, and reduce the cost of livestock products. The rational use of phytopreparations does not pose a threat of depletion of the functional and metabolic reserves.

The purpose of the study. To evaluate the indicators of nonspecific resistance and identify the comparative therapeutic and preventive effectiveness of phytopreparations for dyspepsia in calves.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

To study the indicators of nonspecific resistance of calves with dyspepsia and to evaluate their comparative therapeutic and preventive effectiveness, we produced phytopreparations from the following types of local medicinal raw plant materials: blackthorn fruits (fructus Prunus spinosae), birch leaves (herba Betulae), and chamomile flowers (flores Chamomillae), which are rich in various biologically active substances (Figures 1-3).

Figure 1. Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)

Blackthorn fruits are rich in sugary substances with a 5.5-8.8% fructose and glucose content.

They also contain malic acid, fiber, pectin, steroids, carbohydrates, nitrogenous compounds, triterpenoids, vitamins E and C, coumarins, carotenes, astringents, flavonoids, catechins, glycoside prunasin, high molecular weight alcohols, mineral salts, as well as fats such as palmitin, lynol, olein, stearin, and eleostearin.

Figure 2. Birch leaves (herba Betulae)

The chemical composition of birch leaves contains astringents (up to 9%), ascorbic acid (up to 8%), saponins (up to 3.2%), flavonoids (hyperoside, quercitin), carotenoids, coumarins, triterpene alcohol esters, essential oils, phenylcarboxylic acid, vitamins E and PP.

Figure 3. Chamomile flowers (Fl. Chamomillae)

The chemical composition of chamomile flowers contains essential oils (hamazulene up to 10%), free organic acids (caprylic, anthemis, isovalerian, salicylic acid), astringents, mucous membranes, protein, bitter substances, polysaccharides, phytosterols, nicotinic and ascorbic acids, carotene, glycosides, and a large number of flavonoids.

The dry raw materials were placed in cardboard boxes or boxes lined with clean white paper or in glass jars. The raw materials were stored in dry and well-ventilated areas, without exposure to direct sunlight. Regardless of the type of container, each container was provided with a label on which the name of the plant, the place, and time of its collection were written. The shelf life of raw materials also depends on their type: herbs, flowers, and leaves are stored for 1-1.5 years.

The manufacture of medicines was carried out according to the developed methodological recommendations^36,37.

To prepare infusions and extracts, the stems and leaves of plants were crushed up to 3-5mm in size. Drying is a very important stage in the preparation of medicinal raw materials. The raw materials were laid out on cardboard, plywood, cloth, or a sheet of blank paper in a layer of 1-2cm. The plants were dried at a temperature of no more than 40-50°C. Artificial drying was used mainly in autumn or when harvesting plants during the rainy season. During the drying process, the plants must be carefully turned over several times.

The preparation of aqueous extracts (infusion) is one of the most effective dosage forms since they are rapidly absorbed and have a strong effect. Infusions were prepared in two ways (hot and cold methods). In the hot method, 100g of the crushed plant were placed in a chemically resistant vessel, 1 liter of boiling water was poured into the vessel, then it was covered with a lid and infused for 45minutes, after which the liquid was filtered through a thin cotton cloth or gauze folded in 2-3 layers. When the volume of the infusion was reduced, boiled water was added to it, bringing the contents to 1 liter. The cold method involves adding boiled water to the crushed raw materials at room temperature and infusing them for 3-8hours in a container with a tightly closed lid.

Extracts are condensed extracts of medicinal raw materials, or concentrated extracts that are maximally free of ballast substances. The consistency can be liquid (fluidum), thick (spissum) or dry (siccum). The liquid ones have the consistency of fresh honey, they contain 40-50% of dense substances. Thick extracts contain 80-85% of dense substances, while dry extracts contain up to 97% of dense substances and have the appearance of a coarse powder.

The extracts were prepared by percolation. The principle of the percolation method is to slowly pass the solvent through the medicinal raw materials. Initially, the plant-based raw materials were soaked with half the amount of extracting agent for 4-5hours to form a primary concentrated juice. The next step was maceration. The moistened and expanded plant material was tightly placed in a percolator with an open tap, filled with 70% ethyl alcohol so that its layer above the surface of the material was at least 30-40mm and the lid was tightly closed. In this state, the plant material with the extraction liquid was left for 24hours. The moistened and expanded material is packed tightly into the percolator, with the trigger valve open. The extraction liquid is poured on it so that its layer above the surface of the material is not less than 30-40mm. The liquid flowing out of the tap is poured back into the percolator and the tap is closed. In this form, the device is left for a day at room temperature. After a day, percolation is performed, i.e. the liquid is released through the lower aperture. Then the aqueous or alcohol extracts were evaporated in vacuum apparatuses (dryer, thermostat) at a temperature of 60-70°C.

Indicators of nonspecific resistance in calves were determined according to methodological recommendations³⁸.

The phagocytic activity (PA) of leukocytes was studied using a reference culture of S. aureus strain, while the number of neutrophils with PA was calculated and expressed as a percentage of their total number. The phagocytic number (PN) indicates the number of reference bacteria absorbed by a single phagocytically active neutrophil. The lysozyme activity of blood serum (LABS) was determined by photoelectrocolorimetric method with a Micrococcus lisodeicticus test culture. The bactericidal activity of blood serum (BABS) was determined using a photoelectrocolorimetric method using a non-hemolytic strain of E. coli as a test culture. Experimental studies were conducted on newborn calves up to the 1st month with signs of dyspepsia. The animals were divided into four groups of five heads in each group (one control group and four experimental groups (EG)). The animals of the EGs were given phytopreparations both individually (EG 1-3) and as a complex preparation (group 5). The infusion and extracts were diluted with saline solution in a ratio of 1:10 before use and given to the calf at a dose of 10ml per 1kg of live weight 30 minutes before feeding three times a day. The dose of the extract was 5g per 1kg of live weight. To maintain and restore the water balance, a saline solution consisting of 2.0g ascorbic acid, 3.0g magnesium sulfate, 100ml glucose 5% solution, and 200 ml isotonic NaCl solution was additionally used. Only saline solution was administered to the CG animals. Blood was taken for tests four times: before taking phytopreparations (background indicator) and after taking it on the 5th, 10th, and 15th days.

The obtained digital data were processed by the constant method of variational statistics with the calculation of the arithmetic mean (M±m) and the statistical error (P).

RESULTS:

The obtained research data indicate that under the influence of infusions made from raw plant materials, humoral indicators of nonspecific resistance are activated. Thus, under the influence of an infusion of thorn fruits (EG 1), the level of lysozyme activity (LA) in blood serum on the 5th, 10th, and 15th days of the study increased dynamically by 9.3, 15.7, and 20.6%, respectively. The concentration of bactericidal activity (BA) in blood serum increased by 6.5, 9.2, and 10.0%, complementary activity (CA) in the blood serum – by 7.9, 11.7, and 13.5%, and β-lysine activity – by 7.7, 11.6, and 16.8%.

An infusion of birch leaves (EG 2) was similar to the blackthorn infusion and increased the studied indicators. After taking the infusion, the concentration of LA increased by 11.9, 16.8, and 22.3%. The value of BA increased by 8.3, 10.1, and 10.0%, CA – by 7.9, 11.7, and 10.5%, and β-lysine activity – by 10.1, 13.4, and 17.4%. Under the influence of an infusion of chamomile flowers (EG 3), the parameters also increased. During these study periods, the lysozyme level increased by 11.9, 17.1, and 21.5%, the BA value – by 8.6, 10.1, and 9.7%, CA – by 8.4, 13.4, and 19.4%, and β-lysine activity – by 9.5, 13.9, and 17.4% (^xp<0.05).

More intensive increases in humoral resistance indices were obtained from a complex plant extract (EG 3, Figure 4). Compared with the indicators of the CG (Figure 5), on the 5th, 10th, and 15th days. The lysozyme concentration increased by 19.2, 21.1, and 30.4%, respectively, the BA level increased by 13.5, 15.1, and 16.9%, and CA – by 12.1, 19.8, and 22.2%. β-lysine activity was significantly activated, with an increase of 17.8, 26.2, and 28.3%, respectively (^xp≤0.05;^xxp≤0.01;^xxxp≤0.001).

Figure 4. The effect of complex infusion on the dynamics of humoral factors of nonspecific resistance in calves with dyspepsia, %

If we compare the indicators from the use of the complex phytopreparation compared to the background values, the data were significantly high. Thus, the increase in lysozyme concentration ranged from 38.4 to 71%; BA from 21.8 to 37.3%; CA from 14 to 31.1%; and β-lysine activity from 30.9 to 55.3% (^xp≤0.05; ^xxp≤0.01; ^xxxp≤0.001).

During the studied periods, the indicators of humoral immunity in the CG did not undergo any special changes and were even below the physiological norm, which indicates an immunodeficiency condition.

Figure 5. Indicators of humoral factors of nonspecific body resistance in CG calves with dyspepsia, %

Plant extracts, unlike infusions, are more durable since their active ingredients are better extracted from medicinal plants. Plant extracts have a more pronounced stimulating effect on the indicators of nonspecific resistance of calves with dyspepsia.

Blackthorn extract activates the humoral parameters of nonspecific resistance in calves with dyspepsia. On the 5th, 10th, and 15th days after the administration of the extract, the lysozyme concentration increased by 11.4, 19.2, and 25.1%, compared with the CG. The BA value increased by 9.2, 11.8, and 11.6%, the CA level increased by 8.3, 12.9, and 17.1%, and the concentration of β-lysine activity increased by 11.2, 15.2, and 19.0%. Birch leaf extract also activates the humoral resistance indicators. On the 5th, 10th, and 15th days after the administration of birch leaf extract, the lysozyme concentration increased by 12.4, 19.3, and 25.7%, compared with the CG. The BA value increased by 9.8, 12.7, and 12.5%, the CA level increased by 8.8, 14.2, and 19.4%, and the concentration of β-lysine activity increased by 11.8, 18.0, and 20.7% (^xp≤0.05, ^xxp≤0.01). Similar upward changes in the indicators in the EG were obtained from chamomile flower extract (EG 3).

In EG 4 which received a complex phytopreparation the degree of increase in indicators was significantly high. On the days studied, the concentration of LA compared to the indicators of the CG was 20.4, 24.0, and 34.0%. BA increased by 15.4, 17.2, and 19.0%, CA by 14.2, 21.9, and 25.0%, concentration of β-lysine activity by 21.9, 30.8, and 34.2% (^xp≤0.05, ^xxp≤0.01, ^xxxр≤0.001).

The parameters in the EG were significantly high compared to the background levels. Thus, after the administration of a complex phytopreparation, the LA value increased from 39.3 to 76.2%, BA from 23.8 to 38.3%, CA from 16.2 to 34.0%, and β-lysine activity from 35.5 to 62.5% (^xp≤0.05, ^xxp≤0.01, ^xxxp≤0.001).

An important role in assessing the immunological status belongs to the state of cellular factors of nonspecific resistance. In this aspect, the use of medicinal infusions to an extent has a stimulating effect on the cellular parameters of nonspecific resistance in calves with dyspepsia.

Under the influence of an infusion of blackthorn fruit, quantitative indicators of blood neutrophils phagocytic activity (BNPA) increased compared with the CG data. Thus, the BNPA indicators during the spontaneous test significantly increased compared to the CG by 10.5, 11.6, and 12.4%, respectively, with the induced test by 9.6, 12.3, and 12.0%, leukocyte phagocytic activity (LPA) increased by 11.8, 12.8, and 15.5%, and the phagocytic index (PI) by 7.4, 11.0, 13.0% (^xp≤0.05, x^xp≤0.01, x^xxp≤0.001). Similar changes in the indicators toward an increase in cellular resistance factors were obtained from infusions of birch leaves and chamomile flowers, where the indicators were slightly higher than from infusion of blackthorn fruits.

In a comparative aspect, more pronounced BNPA indicators were recorded in EG 4 which received a complex phytopreparation. The BNPA indicators in the spontaneous test on the 5th, 10th, and 15th days significantly increased compared to the CG by 13.4, 14.5, and 16.6%, respectively, in the induced test by 13.8, 18.1, and 23.7%, the concentration of LPA increases by 15.1, 19.2, and 18.0%, respectively, the level of PI increases by 12.3, 16.9, and 18.8% (^xp≤0.05, x^xp≤0.01, x^xxp≤0.001).

More pronounced changes in the dynamics of BNPA indicators can be seen when comparing the obtained results to the background data. After the administration of a complex infusion from the collection of medicinal plants, the concentration of BNPA compared to the background data increased significantly. With a spontaneous test, it increased from 15.2 to 19.2%, with an induced test, from 17.7 to 33.3%, the LPA value increased from 19.6 to 30.2%, PI from 13.9 to 23.8% (^xp≤0.05, x^xp≤0.01, x^xxp≤0.001).

Compared with medicinal plant infusions, more intensive upward changes were obtained from plant extracts (Table 1).

The blood cell phagocytic activity (BCPA) indicators after the administration of plant extracts individually led to an increase in the indicators. For example, after the administration of blackthorn fruit extract (EG 1), the concentration of BNPA in the spontaneous test significantly increased compared to the CG by 12.1, 12.5, and 13.7%, respectively, in the induced test by 12.6, 14.8, and 15.7%, LPA increased by 13.8, 14.7, and 16.8%, respectively, PI by 10.6, 14.7, and 16.3% (^xp≤0.05, ^xxp≤0.01). The analyzed indicators from the use of birch and chamomile extracts were approximately the same as when using blackthorn fruit extract.

More intensive changes in the indicators were obtained from a complex phytopreparation (extract) in EG 4, where the results significantly exceeded the data from plant extracts individually and were significantly higher than the CG indicators.

Thus, the concentration of BNPA in the spontaneous test compared to the CG tended to increase from 13.4 to 16.6%, in the induced test from 13.8 to 23.7%, LPA from 18.0 to 25.6%, PI from 12.3 to 18.8%. Compared to the initial data, the indicators looked as follows: the BNPA level with a spontaneous test increased from 15.8 to 19.2%, with an induced test from 17.7 to 33.3%, LPA from 19.6 to 30.2%, PI from 14.0 to 23.8% (^xp≤0.05, ^xxp≤0.01, ^xxxp≤0.001).

Table 1. The effect of plant extracts on cellular parameters of nonspecific resistance in calves with dyspepsia (M±m, n =15)

Indicators	Test time
Indicators	Background level	5th day	10th day	15th day
CG: BNPA, %
- spontaneous test	6.84 ± 0.35^xx	6.95 ± 0.28	6.98 ± 0.39^xx	6.99 ± 0.38
- induced test	23.1 ± 0.89^xx	23.9 ± 0.82	24.3 ± 0.69^xx	24.9 ± 0.86
PA, %	30.1 ± 1.89^xx	30.5 ± 0.98	31.2 ± 1.19^xx	31.6 ± 1.06
PI, conditional units (c.u.)	2.65 ± 0.19^xx	2.69 ± 0.18	2.72 ± 0.23^xx	2.76 ± 0.22
EG 1 (extract from the blackthorn fruit, fructus Prunus spinosae): BNPA, %
- spontaneous test	6.84 ± 0.35^xx	7.79 ± 0.25	7.85 ± 0.21^xx	7.95 ± 0.31
- induced test	23.1 ± 0.89^xx	26.9 ± 0.79	27.9 ± 0.88^xx	28.8 ± 0.90
PA, %	30.1 ± 1.89^xx	34.7 ± 0.84	35.8 ± 1.01^xx	36.9 ± 0.93
PI, c.u.	2.65 ± 0.19^xx	2.93 ± 0.11	3.12 ± 0.26^xx	3.21 ± 0.26
EG 2 (extract from birch leaves, herba Betulae): BNPA, %
- spontaneous test	6.84 ± 0.35^xx	7.81 ± 0.21	7.84 ± 0.28^xx	8.01 ± 0.23
- induced test	23.1 ± 0.89^xx	26.9 ± 0.87	27.8 ± 0.83^xx	28.5 ± 0.92
PA, %	30.1 ± 1.89^xx	34.9 ± 0.91	35.9 ± 1.01^xx	36.9 ± 0.93
PI, c.u.	2.65 ± 0.19^xx	2.95 ± 0.13	3.15 ± 0.20^xx	3.20 ± 0.22
EG 3 (extract from chamomile flowers, flores Chamomillae): BNPA, %
- spontaneous test	6.84 ± 0.35^xx	7.82 ± 0.29	7.89 ± 0.28^xx	8.05 ± 0.35
- induced test	23.1 ± 0.89^xx	27.1 ± 0.83	27.8 ± 0.80^xx	28.9 ± 0.82
PA, %	30.1 ± 1.89^xx	34.9 ± 0.97	35.6 ± 1.09^xx	36.8 ± 0.96
PI, c.u.	2.65 ± 0.19^xx	2.98 ± 0.19	3.22 ± 0.27^xx	3.44 ± 0.28
EG 4 (complex extract): BNPA, %
- spontaneous test	6.84 ± 0.35^xx	7.98 ± 0.39	8.15 ± 0.36^xx	8.32 ± 0.34
- induced test	23.1 ± 0.89^xx	28.5 ± 1.11	29.2 ±1.02^xx	30.9 ± 1.03
PA, %	30.1 ± 1.89^xx	35.6 ± 0.96	37.2 ± 1.05^xx	38.3 ± 1.09
PI, c.u.	2.65 ± 0.19^xx	3.18 ± 0.16	3.36 ± 0.23^xx	3.62 ± 0.24

Note:^xp≤0.05; ^xxp≤0.01; ^xxp≤0.001 is the confidence compared to the CG

BCPA is the blood cell phagocytic activity

Having confirmed the positive effects of infusions and extracts on the humoral and cellular resistance factors of calves with dyspepsia, we conducted scientific experiments to identify their therapeutic and preventive effectiveness.

To identify the comparative preventive effectiveness of the infusions and extracts manufactured from medicinal plants, we conducted scientific and production experiments in economic entities. The experimental results indicate the high preventive effectiveness of infusions and extracts from medicinal plant raw materials.

During the preventive period in EG 1-3, clinical signs of dyspepsia were observed in eight calves (10%) out of the total number of animals (80 heads), and three calves (3.75%) out of the total number of cases died. In EG 4, no sick or dead calves were observed. In the CG of 20 calves, six (30%) became sick, and four (20%) of the sick animals died.

The effectiveness and survival rate of calves from the use of infusions from blackthorn fruits (EG 1) and chamomile flowers (EG 3) amounted to 85%, respectively. The highest preventive effectiveness was achieved from the use of infusion in the form of a complex preparation (EG 4), where the effectiveness was 95%. In contrast to these indicators, a relatively low efficiency was recorded in the CG, where the survival rate of calves was 80%, and the preventive effectiveness was only 70% (Figure 6).

Figure 6. Comparative effect of infusions on the survival rate and preventive effectiveness in calves, %

Experiments on the use of extracts were conducted according to a similar scheme to determine their preventive effectiveness against calf dyspepsia (Table 2). The results indicate that the use of extracts is more effective than the data obtained from the use of infusions. Thus, in the EGs, during the preventive period, only seven heads (8.75%) out of the total number became sick, and two (2.5%) of them died. No sick or dead animals were observed in the 4th group. In the CG, only seven (35%) became sick, of which four calves (20%) died. The preventive effectiveness of the extracts in EG 1 and EG 2 was 90%, in EG 3 85%, and in EG 4 100%. By the end of the experiment, the survival rate of calves in groups 1 and 4 was 100%, and in groups 2 and 3 – 95%.

From the two experiments conducted, all manufactured medicinal preparations from plants in the form of infusions and extracts have a pronounced preventive effect in preventing dyspepsia and other digestive disorders of calves.

Having further confirmed the pronounced preventive effectiveness of infusions and extracts, the next stage of our research was to study their therapeutic effectiveness in calves with dyspepsia during the preventive period.

The experiments were conducted on 100 calves with clinical signs of dyspepsia. The sick animals were divided into five groups: four EGs and one CG. The sick calves of the EGs were given optimal doses of infusions and plant extracts 20-30 minutes before feeding plus a saline solution, the composition of which is described in the Materials and Methods section. The CG used only the saline solution.

The results of the conducted experiment in the use of infusions from medicinal plants indicate a pronounced therapeutic effect of the infusions used in all EGs. The results showed that the greatest therapeutic effectiveness was obtained from the complex infusion, where 19 (95%) calves recovered from the total number of calves with dyspepsia, one calf (5%) died, the average duration of the disease was 3-4 days, and one recovered calf had a relapse. The use of the complex preparation also had a positive effect on the growth and development of calves, as evidenced by an increase in the average daily increase in body weight compared to the CG by 17.5% and an absolute increase in body weight over 3 months by 34.5% (^xp≤0.05; ^xxp≤0.01; ^xxxp≤ 0.001).

In the CG, the indicators were significantly lower. Thus, out of 20 calves with dyspepsia, only 15 calves (75%) recovered, five calves died (25%), the average duration of the disease was 6-7 days, and three recovered calves had relapses. Compared to the EGs, they also noticeably lagged in growth and development, as evidenced by low increases in live weight.

Under the influence of infusions of blackthorn fruits, birch leaves, and chamomile flowers (EG 1-3), positive results were also obtained, where the therapeutic effectiveness ranged from 85 to 90%, with an average duration of illness equaling 4-5 days. A more effective way to treat calf dyspepsia is to use a complex infusion rather than each infusion individually.

Table 3 shows the results of the study of the therapeutic effectiveness of extracts from medicinal plants in the treatment of calf dyspepsia. The absolute therapeutic effectiveness was observed with a complex plant extract (EG 4), where the highest rates were achieved. The therapeutic effect compared to the CG occurred 3-3.5 days faster. The complex extract also has a general stimulating effect, as evidenced by a significant increase in body weight compared to the CG by 21.4% and in absolute gain by 37.2% (^xp≤0.05; ^xxp≤0.01; ^xxxp≤0.001).

Plant extracts individually have high medicinal properties, but they are still less effective than complex extracts. The therapeutic effectiveness in the EG 1-3 ranged from 90 to 95%, and the average duration of the disease was 4-4.5 days, three heads had relapses of the disease, and the average daily weight gain compared to the CG was greater in the range of 5.9-7.5%; in absolute weight gain, the difference equaled 19.1-21.5% (^xp≤0.05; ^xxp≤0.01; ^xxxp≤0.001).

The CG indicators were significantly lower than in the EGs, where the therapeutic effectiveness was only 70% and treatment was longer and could reach 6-7 days. In four recovered calves, relapses of the disease were noted; they also showed worse results in the average daily and absolute weight gain.

DISCUSSION:

The most important task of modern animal husbandry, in particular cattle breeding, is the production and preservation of viable calves. However, unsatisfactory hygienic and technological methods of keeping and feeding pregnant cows used in industrial animal husbandry, poor-quality calf rearing during the colostrum feeding period, and untimely therapeutic and preventive measures lead to the production of calves with low metabolic rates and body resistance. The high incidence of gastrointestinal disorders in young animals is also due to the poor development of protective reactions in newborn calves.

The search for preparations to prevent manifestations of gastrointestinal disorders, in particular, dyspepsia in young animals is an urgent problem. The used preparations from medicinal plants, both individually and in combination, have a pronounced preventive effect against calf dyspepsia.

A criterion for assessing the immunological state of young animals is the study of cellular and humoral factors of nonspecific resistance since they collectively ensure resistance to all adverse environmental influences.

Among the indicators of humoral factors of nonspecific resistance, changes in the level of lysozyme, bactericidal, complementary, and β-lysine activity in young animals are of great interest.

We observed that the humoral parameters of nonspecific resistance of calves with dyspepsia significantly increased under the influence of manufactured phytopreparations. In the comparative aspect, the greatest increase in indicators was noted from a complex phytopreparation.

High resistance to adverse environmental factors is ensured by the BNPA which is the dominant indicator in the natural resistance system. Low levels of both cellular and humoral indicators of nonspecific resistance negatively affect the condition of young animals. Such animals are more prone to infectious and non-communicable diseases and noticeably lag in growth and development in the postnatal period.

The results show that herbal preparations significantly activate phagocytic cells, which play a crucial role in the natural resistance system of calves with dyspepsia.

The results are reliably confirmed by the data of several other researchers. Thus, in the study by Sh.B. Turzhigitova et al.³⁹, the general stimulating effect of phytopreparations on indicators of nonspecific resistance in bronchitis in calves is proven. Similar studies on phytopreparations influencing the factors of nonspecific resistance in young farm animals have been conducted^{40, 41}.

The data indicate that the preparations used from the collection of medicinal plants have pronounced therapeutic, preventive, and immunocorrecting effects on calves with dyspepsia.

The results show high preventive effectiveness from both the use of infusions and plant extracts. In a comparative aspect, the use of extracts shows higher effectiveness. Thus, the preventive effectiveness and survival rate of young animals from the use of a complex plant extract was 100%, while in the same CG, the indicators were 80 and 65%, respectively.

Phytopreparations also have a pronounced therapeutic effect, as evidenced by a noticeable reduction in the recovery time of calves in the EGs and lower recurrence of the disease. Higher therapeutic effectiveness was obtained from a complex plant extract, where the effectiveness was 100% versus 70% of the CG, and from plant infusions where the effectiveness was 90-95%. On average, signs of improvement and recovery in calves of the EGs occur 3-4 days earlier than in the CG.

On the one hand, the complex use of phytopreparations stabilizes the water/salt metabolism in calves. On the other hand, biologically active ingredients present in plants have pronounced astringent, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects in calves with dyspepsia.

In addition to a pronounced therapeutic and preventive effect, the phytopreparations have a growth-stimulating effect, as evidenced by a significant increase in the average daily weight gain and absolute increase in body weight. The complex extract increases the average daily increase in body weight compared to the CG by 21.4% and in absolute terms by 37.2%.

The results on the use of phytopreparations to treat and prevent dyspepsia in young animals are confirmed by the data of researchers^42-44. Therefore, the use of plant-based preparations in the form of a complex preparation contributes to the rapid recovery of calves. It is recommended to use them to prevent diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which ensures the survival rate of young animals in case of massive gastrointestinal infections.

CONCLUSION:

The identified patterns in positive changes in the humoral and cellular defense mechanisms suggest that calves with dyspepsia have an immunodeficiency condition accompanied by an immune system imbalance. The effect of the manufactured phytopreparations is directed toward the biocorrection and bionormalization of metabolic processes, reliably confirmed by a significant increase in the indicators of nonspecific resistance. Studies also reliably indicate the pronounced therapeutic and preventive effects of phytopreparations in preventing dyspepsia in newborn calves and for comprehensive treatment.

Skillful and rational use of phytopreparations contributes to a significant reduction in the risk of calf morbidity with a 100% survival rate and a higher increase in the live weight of young animals. This gives reason to recommend new phytopreparations as agents that stimulate the immune status and have a pronounced therapeutic and preventive effect.

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Received on 22.01.2025 Revised on 06.05.2025

Accepted on 16.07.2025 Published on 10.02.2026

Available online from February 16, 2026

Research J. Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(2):594-604.

DOI: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00087

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Creative Commons License.

Animal groups	Indicators
	n	Sick		Dead		Calf survival rate, %	Effectiveness, %
	n	Heads	%	Heads	%	Calf survival rate, %	Effectiveness, %
EG 1 (extract from blackthorn fruits)	20	2	10	-	-	100	90
EG 2 (extract from birch leaves)	20	2	10	1	5	95	90
EG 3 (extract from chamomile flowers)	20	3	15	1	5	95	85
EG 4 (complex extract)	20	-	-	-	-	100	100
CG	20	7	35	4	20	80	65

Indicators	Groups of sick calves
Indicators	1 (blackthorn extract)	2 (birch extract)	3 (chamomile extract)	4 (complex extract)	Control
Number of animals, heads	20	20	20	20	20
Animals recovered, heads	19	18	18	20	14
Dead animals, heads	1	2	2	-	6
%	5	10	10	-	30
Duration of illness, days	4-4.5	4-5	4-4.5	3-3.5	6-7
Therapeutic effectiveness, %	95	90	90	100	70
Relapses of the disease, heads	1	1	1	-	4
%	5	5	5	-	20
Average daily increase in body weight, g	365.2±12.3	359.8±12.5^х	359.7±12.2^х	412.5±13.3^ххх	339.8±13.4
Absolute weight gain in 3 months, kg	39.5±1.6	38.7±1.9^х	39.8±1.7^ххх	44.6±1.8^хх	32.5±1.6^х