Antioxidant and Immunological Properties of <i>Dracocephalum moldavica</i> Extract in <i>Penaeus vannamei</i>

Objectives: The effects of different concentrations of Dracocephalum moldavica extract (DME) supplement on growth, survival, antioxidants, some biochemical parameters and innate immunity of White leg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) juveniles investigated. Methods: For 56 days, shrimp (4.5-5 g) received diets that were enhanced with 0 (control), 50, 100, 200 mg DME/kg feed to attain apparent satiety. Results: The results revealed that feeding shrimp with DME significantly improved Feed efficiency and Feed conversion ratio with an optimum level of 200 mg/kg diet. Dietary DME supplementation had no significant effects on their carcass composition. Total albumin and protein higher (P &gt; 0.05) in DME-fed particularly at 200 mg/kg treatment On the other hand, shrimp fed 200 mg DME/kg feed experienced significant decreases in aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels. As dietary extract levels increased, there was a significant (P &lt; 0.05) increase in SOD and CAT activities, as well as LYZ and PO levels, so that treatments with 100 and 200 mg DME/kg feed had the highest values, and Significant (P &lt; 0.05) reductions in MDA and NO levels were observed at high dietary extract levels of 100 and 200 mg DME/kg. Conclusion: P. vannamei's growth, antioxidant capacity and innate immunity were boosted by diets that contained 200 mg DME/kg feed.