Emodin Improves Juvenile Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Liver Health Through Nrf2/NF-κB Pathway and Fat Metabolism: Growth Performance, Immune Response and Resistance Against Aeromonas veronii Infection

Abstract

The largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides is known for its rapid development, delectable flavor, robust disease resistance, and significant economic and nutritional value. It is widely cultivated and has emerged as a crucial aquatic food source in China. However, as the proportion of aquaculture continues to grow, the farming of largemouth bass is faced with various pathogenic microorganisms that cause a high mortality rate during production. Emodin, isolated from Polygonum cuspidatum, Polygonum multiflorum, and Rheum palmatum, has shown an extensive spectrum of pharmacological activities, and has been deemed to be a natural feed additive that can be used to enhance growth performance, antibacterial activity, and antioxidant capacity, as well as innate immunity, in several aquatic studies. The results of the present study suggest that emodin could improve non-specific immunity and resistance to pathogens in juvenile largemouth bass. Our findings also make an important contribution to the development of emodin as a natural feed additive to prevent diseases in the field of aquaculture in the near future.