This study evaluated the effects of adding zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnNP), L-arginine (L-Arg), or a combination of both to the diets of growing rabbits to mitigate the physiological and productive consequences of heat stress. Two hundred and eighty 35-day-old New Zealand White rabbits were randomly assigned to four experimental treatments, with 70 rabbits per treatment and seven replicates (10 rabbits/replicate). The control group (Ctr) received the base diet without additives, while the diets of the other groups were fortified with arginine (L-Arg; 3 g/kg), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnNP; 40 mg/kg), or a combination of both (Arg-Zn). The results showed that the combined Arg-Zn significantly improved weight gain rate, feed conversion rate, carcass weight, and nutrient digestibility compared to the control group (p < 0.05). At the physiological level, we observed increased serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), and triiodothyronine (T3), along with decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST, p < 0.05) in Arg-Zn-fed rabbits. However, adding the Arg-Zn mixture contributed to a reduction in pathogenic bacteria counts and increased the volatile fatty acid (VFA) levels. At the molecular level, the gene expression of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) decreased; however, the gene expression of claudins-1 (CLDN-1), cationic amino acid transporter-1 (CAT-1), mucin-2 (MUC-2), sodium-glucose co-transporter-1 (SGLT-1), and interferon gamma (IFNγ) increased (p < 0.05) in Arg-Zn-fed rabbits. These results suggest that dietary supplementation with ZnNP and L-Arg may serve as an effective nutritional strategy for improving growth performance, antioxidant status, immune function, and intestinal integrity in rabbits exposed to high ambient temperatures.

Even though some polyherbal combinations have been used traditionally, there is limited scientific research on their safety and effectiveness. To address this gap, this study set out to explore the potential synergies and safety of a polyherbal formulation that contains A. monosperma and M. piperita. Specifically, the study examined the impact of this formulation on certain biochemical and hematological parameters in vivo. Materials and Methods: The study involved organizing the animals into eight groups, each comprising five animals. Group1, served as control group received distilled. Groups 2, 3, and 4, referred to as AL, AM, and AH received A. monosperma in doses of 1000, 3000, and 5000 mg/kg body, respectively. Group5, received 290 mg/kg of M. piperita extract. The remaining three groups, ALM, AMM, and AHM, received a mixture of A. monosperma and M. piperita in a polyherbal formulation (PF) at the same doses for 14 days, once daily. Results: The results showed that none of the treated animals died or showed signs of toxicity. Additionally, the polyherbal formulation did not cause any notable shifts in body weight or blood-related parameters, when compared to the control groups. Furthermore, the hepatic and renal functions remained unaffected using this formulation. Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that the polyherbal formulation is harmless and non-poisonous, even at high doses of 5000 mg/kg, and has the potential to be employed as a diabetes remedy.