Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil prevents oxidative stress and ameliorates the antioxidant system in the liver of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) naturally infected with Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

Abstract Oxidative stress has been linked to a pathological mechanism that contributes to the initiation and progression of hepatic injury during Ichthyophthirius multifiliis infection. Thus, natural compounds with antioxidant and free radical scavenger properties, such as the Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil (TTO), might help to prevent or reduce hepatic damage. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether TTO is capable of preventing or reducing hepatic oxidative damage in silver catfish naturally infected with I. multifiliis. After a TTO bath treatment of 1 h/day for 4 days, the number of trophonts on the skin of catfish was reduced by 94.87% compared to the control group. Hepatic samples from fish infected by I. multifiliis showed increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonylation levels, while catalase (CAT) activity decreased compared to uninfected and untreated animals. Moreover, the histopathology analyses demonstrated the presence of necrosis, nuclear lateralization and cariorrexis, as well as swelling and vacuolization of cytoplasm. Treatment with TTO reduced hepatic TBARS and protein carbonylation levels and ameliorated the antioxidant system of infected fish, as well as preserve the hepatocytes morphology, but not prevented the occurrence of necrosis. Based on our findings, we propose that TTO is an alternative therapeutic option for silver catfish infected with I. multifiliis . Moreover, TTO treatment is a useful approach for avoiding or minimizing the hepatic oxidative stress caused by I. multifiliis, thus improving the hepatic antioxidant system.