Nano-enabled Delivery of a Polyherbal Formulation from Tridax procumbens, Boerhavia diffusa and Tinospora cordifolia to Enhance Growth, Immunity and Disease Resistance in Pangasius pangasius Fingerlings

Abstract

The present study evaluated improved growth performance, immunity, and disease resistance in Pangasius pangasius fingerlings (initial weight: 9.1 ± 0.3 g), the current study assessed a nano-enabled delivery system for a polyherbal formulation consisting of Tridax procumbens, Boerhavia diffusa, and Tinospora cordifolia (TP:BD:TC = 1:1:1). Chitosan–tripolyphosphate (CS–TPP) ionic gelation was used to nanoencapsulate a combination of hydroethanolic extract. Four experimental diets were given to fish for 60 days: control (C0), polyherbal (PH 1%), nano-polyherbal (NPH0.5), and nano-polyherbal (NPH1.0). In comparison to the control group, NPH1.0 considerably (p < 0.05) increased weight gain (20.75 g), specific growth rate (1.82% day⁻¹), and feed conversion ratio (1.34). Lysozyme activity (30.8 U/mL), respiratory burst activity (NBT: 0.46), and alternative complement activity (ACH50: 162 U/mL) were among the immune markers that showed a substantial increase. Additionally, the nano-treated groups showed decreased lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant enzyme activity. The NPH1.0 group had the highest survival rate (81.1%) and relative percent survival (RPS: 66.7%) after the Aeromonas hydrophila challenge. Overall, nano-polyherbal supplementation demonstrated superior efficacy over free herbal inclusion, likely due to improved bioavailability and controlled release of bioactive compounds. These findings suggest that nano-encapsulated polyherbal formulations can serve as a promising, eco-friendly alternative to antibiotics for sustainable health management in aquaculture.