Chinese herbal feed additives in aquaculture: Disease resistance and antioxidant functions

This review comprehensively examines the scientific and applied advancements in using Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) as functional feed additives in aquaculture. We systematically analyze their multifaceted roles in augmenting disease resistance, fortifying antioxidant defenses, modulating immune responses, suppressing inflammation, and enhancing antimicrobial/antiviral activities across diverse aquatic species. By elucidating bioactive constituents (e.g., polysaccharides, flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids) and their synergistic mechanisms including gene regulation of growth, immunity, and stress adaptation pathways, this work addresses critical pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic gaps in phytotherapy research. Key challenges such as compositional variability, bioavailability limitations, industrial scalability constraints, and the urgent need for standardized quality control protocols are critically evaluated. Furthermore, we assess innovative solutions like nano-encapsulation, fermentation technologies, and extraction optimizations to enhance efficacy and consistency. The review synthesizes evidence demonstrating dose-dependent improvements in growth performance, survival rates, and product quality while reducing antibiotic reliance and environmental impact. Ultimately, this work bridges theoretical knowledge and practical implementation, providing a foundational roadmap for the sustainable transition toward antibiotic-free aquaculture through optimized, evidence-based herbal strategies.