WO2002003813A1

WO2002003813A1 - Use of dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins

Info

Publication number: WO2002003813A1
Application number: PCT/AU2001/000836
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chinni Krishnan Raj Kumar
Original assignee: Raj Kumar, Sujatha
Priority date: 2000-07-12
Filing date: 2001-07-12
Publication date: 2002-01-17

Abstract

The present invention discloses the use of a dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin or derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the preparation of feed additives, animal feeds, and pharmaceutical compositions for immunopotentiating and protecting an animal from infectious diseases, for promoting growth and development of an animal, for improving the production rate, weight and quality of poultry eggs, for improving the quality and yield of milk in livestock animals, for increasing the survival rate of aqueous animals or for enhancing the hatch rate of eggs produced by aqueous animals.

Description

USE OF DAMMARANE-TYPE TRITERPENOID SAPONINS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates generally to agents useful in the preparation of animal feed and pharmaceutical compositions for treating animals. More particularly, the invention relates to a feed additive, to animal feed, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin or derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The invention further relates to the use of the pharmaceutical composition or the feed inter alia for immunopotentiating and protecting an animal against infectious diseases, for promoting growth and development of an animal, for improving the production rate, weight and quality of poultry eggs, for improving the quality and yield of milk in livestock animals, for increasing the survival rate of aqueous animals or for" enhancing the hatch rate of eggs produced by aqueous animals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bacopa monnieri L (Syn: Herpestis monnieri L., HB & K), Brahmi has been used for many years as a potent nerve tonic in the traditional Indian system of medicine (Chopra et al, 1956, In: Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, page 32). Various extracts of this perennial creeping plant have been used to .enhance memory retention and to treat epilepsy and insomnia (Pandey et al 1967, Bhav Prakasάh Nighantu, page 461).

The activity associated with memory retention has been localised to the saponin- containing fraction of this plant (Chatterjee et al, 1963, Indian Journal of Chemistry 1: 212; Singh et al, 1988, Phytother. Res. 2: 70). The active saponin constituents have been designated bacopasaponins A, B, C, D, E and F (Chatterjee et al, 1965, Indian J. Chemistry 3: 24; Chatterjee et al, 1963, Indian J. Chemistry 1: 212; Basu et al, 1967, Indian J. Chemistry 5: 84; Rastogi et al, 1994, Phytochemistry 36: 133-137; Garai et al, 1996, Phytochemistry 42: 815-820; Garai et al, 1996, Phytochemistry 43: 447-449; Mahato et al, 2000, Phytochemistry 53(6): 711-714). Acid hydrolysis of the active saponin-containing fraction yields a mixture of aglycones, bacogenin Ai (Kulshreshtha et al, 1973, Phytochemistry 12: 887; Kawai et al, 1973, Acta Cryst 829: 2947), bacogenin A (Kulshreshtha et al, 1974, Phytochemistry 12: 1205), bacogenin A₃ (Chandel et al, 1997, Phytochemistry 16: 141) and bacogenin t (Kulshreshtha et al, 1973, Phytochemistry 12: 2074).

In work leading up to the present invention, it was unexpectedly discovered that one or more saponins, particularly bacopasaponins including their analogues and derivatives enhance the production of nitric oxide in animal cells and tissues. Nitric oxide has been shown to exert beneficial effects, by acting as an anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-viral agent or as a tumoricidal agent (e.g. Colasanti & Suzuki, 2000, Trends Pharmocol. Sci. 21(7): 249-252; Wallace & Miller, 2000, Gastroenterology 119(2) 512- 520); Pfaff et al, 2000, Parasite Immunol. 22(8): 397-405; Sherry et al, 2000, Mol Med. 6(6): 542-549; Pinelli et al, 2000, Vet. Parasitol 92(3): 181-189; Nappi et al, 2000, Nitric Oxide 4(4): 423-430; Shinde et al, 2000, Indian J Exp Biol 38(3): 201-210; Gobert et al, Infect. Immun. 68(8): 4653-4657; Taylor-Robinson, 2000, Med. Hypotheses 54(4): 638- 641). Apart from their nitric oxide producing property, the bacopasaponin compounds have also been found, quite unexpectedly, to improve the general well being of animals including reducing stress levels and to accelerate growth of animals. It has also been discovered that administering these compounds to poultry enhances their rate of egg production and the weight and quality of their eggs including enhanced eggshell strength. The bacopasaponin compounds have also been found to improve milk quality and milk yield and meat produced by livestock animals, to enhance the growth and quality of wool produced by wool producing animals such as sheep and goats and to improve the quantity and quality of silk produced by worms. It has also been discovered that these compounds have utility in enhancing the conversion, growth and survival rate of aqueous animals including farmed fish and crustaceans as well as the hatch rate of eggs produced by aqueous animals.

Having regard to the various beneficial effects produced either directly or indirectly by nitric oxide, and to the various other unexpected properties of the bacopasaponin compounds, the present discoveries have been reduced to practice in novel feed additives, feeds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods as described hereinafter. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a feed additive for animals comprising a compound selected from a dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin or derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or combination of these.

Suitably, the dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a pseudojujubogenin glycoside. In a preferred embodiment, the darmnarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a compound represented by a general formula selected from the group of consisting of:

wherein:

R and R are individually and independently selected from H or any other cation, preferably a metallic cation, more preferably an alkaline metallic cation (such as K⁺, Na⁺ and the like) or alkaline earth metallic cation (such as Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and the like), lower alkyl including linear and branched alkyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl and the like), lower alkene including linear or branched alkenes (such as vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, isopentenyl, allyl and the like), lower alkanoyl (such as acetyl, propionyl and butyryl), benzyl, a carbohydrate moiety comprising at least one carbohydrate monomer, modified or unmodified, branched or unbranched, the carbohydrate moiety preferably comprising five membered ring structures, six membered ring structures or both, the carbohydrate monomer preferably selected from β-D- glucopyranosyl, /3-L-glucopyranosyl, c.-L-arabinopyranosyl, and α-L-arabinofuranosyl; and

R² is H or any other cation, preferably a metallic cation, more preferably an alkaline metallic cation (such as K⁺, Na⁺ and the like) or alkaline earth metallic cation (such as Mg ⁺, Ca²⁺ and the like), lower alkyl including linear and branched alkyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl and the like), lower alkene including linear or branched alkenes (such as vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, isopentenyl, allyl and the like), lower alkanoyl (such as acetyl, propionyl and butyryl), benzyl, a carbohydrate moiety comprising at least one carbohydrate monomer, modified or unmodified, branched or unbranched, the carbohydrate moiety preferably comprising five membered ring structures, six membered ring structures or both, the carbohydrate monomer preferably comprising α-L-arabinopyranosyl.

In a preferred embodiment, the compound is selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C and bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

Suitably, the compound is derived from a plant of the genus Bacopa. Preferably, said plant is Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi).

In a preferred embodiment, the compound is provided in the form of a saponin- containing extract or fraction of a plant of the genus Bacopa.

Preferably, the saponin-containing extract or fraction comprises at least one bacopasaponin selected from the group consisting of bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C and bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

In another aspect, the invention contemplates an animal feed comprising the feed additive as broadly described above. In yet another aspect, the invention features a method of increasing the egg laying rate of a bird, comprising feeding to the bird an animal feed comprising an egg laying rate enhancing effective amount of the compound as broadly described above.

In still yet another aspect, the invention encompasses a method of increasing the weight of eggs produced from a bird, comprising feeding to the bird an animal feed comprising an egg weight enhancing effective amount of the compound as broadly described above.

According to another aspect, the invention contemplates a method of enhancing the quality of eggs produced from a bird, comprising feeding to the bird an animal feed comprising an egg quality enhancing effective amount of the compound as broadly described above.

In a preferred embodiment, the improvement in the egg quality preferably relates to an increase in the omega fatty acid content of said eggs and/or the eggshell strength of said eggs.

In a related aspect, the invention resides in an egg produced by a bird which has been fed according to the method as broadly described above.

According to another aspect, the invention encompasses a method of increasing milk yield in an animal, comprising feeding to the animal an animal feed comprising a milk yield increasing effective amount of the compound as broadly described above.

In another aspect, the invention envisions a method of improving milk quality in an animal, comprising feeding to the animal an animal feed comprising a milk quality improving effective amount of a compound as broadly described above.

h a preferred embodiment, the improvement in the milk relates to an increase in the protein content of said milk.

In another embodiment, the improvement in the milk relates to an increase in the

Vitamin content of said milk, wherein the vitamin is selected from Vitamins A, D or E or combination of these. In a preferred embodiment, the vitamin is selected from Vitamins A orD. In a related aspect, the invention extends to animal products obtained or derived from an animal which has been fed according to the method as broadly described above.

In one embodiment, the animal products are dairy products produced or derived from a milk-producing animal which has been fed with the animal feed as broadly described above. In a preferred embodiment of this type, the dairy product is selected from milk, butter, ghee, cheese, cream and yoghurt.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of improving the quality of animal meat, comprising feeding to the animal an animal feed comprising a meat quality improving effective amount of the compound as broadly described above.

In a preferred embodiment, the improvement in the meat relates to an increase in the vitamin content of said meat, wherein the vitamin is selected from Vitamins A, D or E or combination of these. In a preferred embodiment, the vitamin is selected from Vitamins A or D. In an especially preferred embodiment, the vitamin is Vitamin A.

In a related aspect, the invention extends to meat obtained from an animal which has been fed according to the method as broadly described above.

In a preferred embodiment, the animal is selected from cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and poultry.

In an especially preferred embodiment, the meat is liver.

According to another aspect, the invention contemplates a method of enhancing the quality and/or quantity of wool, comprising feeding to a wool producing animal an animal feed comprising a wool quantity/quality enhancing effective amount of the compounds as broadly described above.

In a related aspect, the invention extends to wool obtained from a wool producing animal which has been fed according to the method as broadly described above.

Suitably, the wool producing animal is selected from sheep, goats, alpacas and llamas. In another aspect, the invention features a method of improving the quality and/or quantity of silk produced by a silk producing animal, comprising feeding to said animal an animal feed comprising a silk quantity/quality improving effective amount of the compound as broadly described above.

In a related aspect, the invention extends to silk obtained from an animal which has been fed according to the method as broadly described above.

In a further aspect, the invention contemplates a method of enhancing the growth, conversion and/or survival rate of an aqueous animal, comprising feeding to the aqueous animal an animal feed comprising a growth, conversion and/or survival rate enhancing effective amount of the compound as broadly described above.

In another aspect, the invention encompasses a method of enhancing the hatch rate of eggs produced by an aqueous animal, comprising feeding to the aqueous animal an animal feed comprising an egg hatch rate enhancing effective amount of the compound as broadly described above.

In still a further aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound as broadly described above together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

In yet another aspect, the invention resides in a method for treating or preventing a condition associated with reduced nitric oxide levels in an animal, said method comprising administering to said animal an effective amount of the compound as broadly described above, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent, sufficient to inhibit or ameliorate said condition.

In a preferred embodiment, the condition is a stress-associated condition.

In another embodiment, the condition is associated with infection by a pathogenic organism.

In still yet another aspect, the invention features a method of improving the health of an animal, said method comprising administering to said animal a health-improving effective amount of the compound as broadly described above, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method for enhancing the immune response of animal against infection by a pathogenic organism, said method comprising administering to said animal an immunity enhancing effective amount of the compound as broadly described, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

According to yet another aspect, the invention contemplates use of the compound as broadly described above in the preparation of compositions for treating or preventing a condition which is associated with reduced nitric oxide levels, or which is ameliorable or preventable by enhanced nitric oxide levels, within the body of an animal, or for promoting a response requiring enhanced nitric oxide levels within the body of an animal, for improving animal produce or for increasing the growth, conversion and/or survival rate of aqueous animals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1. Definitions

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, preferred methods and materials are described. For the purposes of the present invention, the following terms are defined below.

The articles "a " and "an " are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, "an element" means one element or more than one element.

The term "about" is used herein to refer to the amount, weight or concentration of an active or substance that vary by as much as 30%, preferably by as much as 20%, and more preferably by as much as 10% to a reference amount, weight or concentration.

By "animal" is meant livestock animals (eg. sheep, cows, goats, horses, donkeys, pigs), laboratory test animals (eg. rabbits, mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters), companion animals (eg. cats, dogs), captive wild animals (eg. foxes, deer, minks, dingoes), poultry (e.g. fowls, turkeys, wild ducks, quails, guinea fowls, ducks, geese and pigeons), and aqueous animals particularly farmed aqueous animals (e.g. crustaceans and vertebrate fish, such as salmon, catfish, lobster, shrimp and the like, both from fresh and salt water)

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise", "comprises" and "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step or element or group of steps or elements but not the exclusion of any other step or element or group of steps or elements.

By "effective amount", in the context of improving a quality of an animal or a quality or quantity of an animal product or the growth, conversion and survival rate of an aqueous animal or treating or preventing a condition in an animal, is meant the administration of that amount of active to an animal, either in a single dose or as part of a series, that is effective for that improvement, treatment or prevention. The effective amount will vary depending upon the health and physical condition of the animal to be treated, the taxonomic group of the animal to be treated, the formulation of the composition, the assessment of the condition, and other relevant factors. It is expected that the amount will fall in a relatively broad range that can be determined through routine trials.

By "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" is meant a solid or liquid filler, diluent or encapsulating substance that can be safely used in topical or systemic administration to a animal, preferably a mammal including humans.

2. Compositions and methods of the invention The present invention is generally directed to feed additives, feed and compositions comprising a compound selected from a dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin or derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or combination of these. Surprisingly, these saponin compounds have been found to accelerate growth of animals, to improve the rate of egg production and to increase egg weight, egg quality of poultry, to enhance the quality and quantity of meat, milk quality and yield produced by livestock animals, to improve the quality and quantity of wool and silk produced respectively by wool producing and silk producing animals, and to enhance the conversion, growth and survival rate of aqueous animals, including farmed fish and crustaceans. Thus, the invention provides, in one aspect, a method for accelerating growth of an animal or for improving the egg laying rate, egg weight and egg quality of poultry, or for enhancing the meat and/or milk quality and quantity of livestock animals or for improving the quality and quantity of wool and silk produced respectively by wool producing and silk producing animals, or for enhancing the conversion, growth and survival rate of aqueous animals, or for enhancing the hatch rate of eggs produced by aqueous animals, by feeding to an animal an effective amount of an animal feed comprising a compound as described herein.

The dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin compounds of the invention have been found unexpectedly to enhance the production of nitric oxide in animal cells and tissues, which renders them useful for treating conditions associated with reduced nitric oxide

^• levels in an animal or for producing beneficial effects in an animal which are ameliorable by increasing the nitric oxide levels in the animal. Thus, the invention also encompasses use of triterpenoid saponin compounds as described herein, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent, for treating or preventing a condition associated with reduced nitric oxide levels in an animal, or for improving the health or general well being of an animal, or for enhancing the immune response of an animal against infection by a pathogenic organism.

The dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is suitably a pseudojujubogenin glycoside. In a preferred embodiment, the dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a compound represented by a general formula selected from the group of consisting of:

wherein:

R¹ and R³ are individually and independently selected from H or any other cation, preferably a metallic cation, more preferably an alkaline metallic cation (such as K⁺, Na⁺ and the like) or alkaline earth metallic cation (such as Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and the like), lower alkyl including linear and branched alkyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl and the like), lower alkene including linear or branched alkenes (such as vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, isopentenyl, allyl and the like), lower alkanoyl (such as acetyl, propionyl and butyryl), benzyl, a carbohydrate moiety comprising at least one carbohydrate monomer, modified or unmodified, branched or unbranched, the carbohydrate moiety preferably comprising five membered ring structures, six membered ring structures or both, the carbohydrate monomer preferably selected from β-D- glucopyranosyl, β-L-glucopyranosyl, α-L-arabinopyranosyl, and α-L-arabinofuranosyl; and

R² is H or any other cation, preferably a metallic cation, more preferably an alkaline metallic cation (such as K⁺, Na⁺ and the like) or alkaline earth metallic cation (such as Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and the like), lower alkyl including linear and branched alkyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl and the like), lower alkene including linear or branched alkenes (such as vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, isopentenyl, allyl and the like), lower alkanoyl (such as acetyl, propionyl and butyryl), benzyl, a carbohydrate moiety comprising at least one carbohydrate monomer, modified or unmodified, branched or unbranched, the carbohydrate moiety preferably comprising five membered ring structures, six membered ring structures or both, the carbohydrate monomer preferably comprising α-L-arabinopyranosyl.

In a preferred embodiment of compound (1) including derivatives thereof, R¹ is 3- O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl and R² is 20-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl.

In a preferred embodiment of compound (II) including derivatives thereof, R¹ is selected from the group consisting of 3-O-fα-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-2) - arabmopyranosyl], 3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl (1-3) {α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2)} α-L- arabinopyranosyl] and 3-O-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2) /3-D-glucopyranosyl] pseudojujubogenin and R is H.

In a preferred embodiment of compounds (III) including derivatives respectively thereof, R¹ is H and R³ is H.

In a preferred embodiment of compounds (IV) and (V) including derivatives respectively thereof, R¹ is H.

In an especially preferred embodiment, the compound is selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C and bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

Derivatives of the above compounds include, but not restricted to, ethoxylate derivatives, propoxylate derivatives, hydrates, aldehyde derivatives, ester derivatives, ether derivatives, alcohol derivatives, phenol derivatives, amine derivatives, other biologically or chemically equivalent substances, and any combination of two or more of the foregoing.

In another embodiment, one or more compounds as broadly described above are derived from a plant of the genus Bacopa and preferably from Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) or a botanical or horticultural relative thereof. Thus, for the practice of the present invention in another embodiment, the invention contemplates the use of a chemical fraction comprising at least one dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin from a plant of the genus Bacopa or a derivative or analogue of said triterpenoid saponin having a structure as defined above wherein said triterpenoid saponin or its derivative or chemical analogue modulates nitric oxide production in an animal. Reference herein to a plant of the genus Bacopa includes reference to Bacopa caroliniana, Bacopa egensis, Bacopa eisenii, Bacopa innominata, Bacopa monnieri, Bacopa procumbens, Bacopa repens, Bacopa rotundifolia and Bacopa stricta. Preferably, the chemical fraction is obtained from Bacopa monnieri.

In another embodiment, one or more of the aforementioned compounds may be purified from a plant of the genus Bacopa by any suitable method including the methods described for example by Chatterjee et al. (1963, Indian Journal of Chemistry 1: 212), Singh et al. (1988, Phytother. Res. 2: 70), Rastogi et al. (1994, Phytochemistry 36: 133- 137) Garai et al. (1996, Phytochemistry 42: 815-820), Garai et al. (1996, Phytochemistry 43: 447-449), Kulshreshtha et al. (1973, Phytochemistry 12: 887), Kawai et al. (1973, Ada Cryst 829: 2947), Kulshreshtha et al. (1974, Phytochemistry 12: 1205), Chandel et al. (1997, Phytochemistry 16: 141) and Kulshreshtha et al. (1973, Phytochemistry 12: 2074). An especially preferred chemical fraction of Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) is described in Example 1.

The compounds of the present invention can be included as an additive to feed which suitably comprises a basal diet for feeding an animal. When the feed additive of the present invention is added to feed, it may be formulated along with feed components at the time of feed formulation, or may be added to feed at the time of feeding to animals. There is no limitation on the method and time of addition to feed. The arbitrary basal diet for animals, which is used for preparing the feed according to the invention, is not particularly limited. Examples of raw materials, which may constitute a basal diet include, but are not limited to, grains such as corn, milo and wheat flour, brans such as defatted rice bran and wheat bran, animal substances such as fish meal and skim milk, vegetable oil cake such as soybean oil cake, and additives such as calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, common salt, DL-methionine, choline chloride, manganese sulfate, dry iron sulfate, calcium iodate, copper sulfate, dry zinc sulfate and sodium saccharin. The basal diet can be prepared by blending together such raw materials. Carbohydrates are also suggested for addition to the basal diet as a source of energy and as a filler, preferably in amounts ranging from 1% to 35% by weight of the total feed. The basal diet may also comprise a small amount of fat, such as fish oil, as an additional source of energy preferably in amounts ranging from 1% to 5% by weight of the total feed. The formulation of the basal diet will vary depending on the animal to which the diet is fed. The feed may be in solid or liquid form. Supplemental vitamins, including additional ascorbic acid and Vitamin B₂, minerals and trace elements sufficient to meet the daily nutritional requirements of the animal may be included in the feed as well as other compounds such as anti-microbiles and antibiotics registered for use with animals for consumption.

The novel feed formulation may be processed by any means now known or later developed in the art, including extrusion or pelleting techniques. Extrusion generally adds an amount of air to the final product, such that the flakes prepared by extrusion usually float when added to water. Pelleting, on the other hand, generally provides a dense pellet that sinks upon addition to water. The desired form of the final feed formulation will depend upon the species and feeding habits of the fish being cultivated.

It is preferred that the final processed feed has a moisture content ranging from 1 to 20% and preferably 3 to 12% by weight of the total feed to assure proper cohesion of the feed components. In general, the feed ingredients may have a sufficient natural moisture content to meet this objective, however additional water may be added to the feed mixture prior to processing if needed. In such event and according to conventional techniques, any excess moisture may then be removed from the processed feed by drying or by other means.

Other additives or adjuvants may also be added to the final processed feed as a coating where desired. For instance, it is known to coat processed feed pellets with an amount of oil or fat to enhance the water stability and cohesion of the pellets.

The improved feed of the present invention can be administered to various animals including, but not restricted to, livestock animals such as pig, cattle, horse, goat, sheep rabbit, llamas and alpacas, poultry such as chicken, quail, pigeon, guinea fowl, turkey, geese and duck, companion animals such as cats and dogs, silk producing animals such as worms and spiders as well as aqueous animals farmed in commercial fisheries, including vertebrate fish such as barramundi, carp, salmon, yellowtail, sea bream, flatfish, globefish, hardtail, amberjack, sweetfish and trout, and crustaceans such as lobster, crayfish, king prawn, Oriental shrimp, giant tiger shrimp, oriental river prawn, swimming crab, offshore greasy back prawn, green tiger prawn, stone crab, etc.. The feed additive and the animal feed of the present invention are useful for accelerating growth of animals, for improving the quality (e.g., protein content, vitamin content) and quantity of fresh milk and meat produced by livestock animals such as cattle, goats and sheep, for improving the rate of egg production and to increase egg weight, egg quality of poultry, for improving the quality and quantity of wool and silk produced respectively by wool producing and silk producing animals, and for enhancing the conversion, growth and survival rate of aqueous animals. For such improvements or enhancements, the triterpenoid saponin compounds of the subject invention are present in said feed additive between about 0.05% by weight and about 25% by weight inclusive, preferably between about 0.1% and about 20% by weight. Typically, when using an extract or chemical fraction of a plant of the genus Bacopa (e.g., Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi)), preferably prepared as described herein, the final dried extract is used at a concentration in the range of between about 0.001 g per kg or feed and 50 g per kg of feed, preferably between about 0.01 g per kg of feed and about 5 g per kg of feed, more preferably between about 0.02 g per kg of feed and about 0.5 g per kg of feed. When desired, the compounds of the invention may be provided in combination with any other active ingredient(s) such as vitamins and minerals. Typically, concentrations in the range of about 0.1-20 g of or chemical fraction of a plant of the genus Bacopa (e.g., Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi)) prepared according to Example 1 per kg of feed have been found to be effective for said improvements and enhancements.

The actives of the invention are typically fed to animals at a daily dose of between about 0.02 and about 25 mg per kg body weight, preferably between about 0.02 and about 3 mg per kg body weight, more preferably between about 0.2 and about 1.5 mg per kg of body weight. Typically, when using an extract or chemical fraction of a plant of the genus Bacopa (e.g., Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi)), preferably prepared as described herein, the final dried extract is fed to an animal at a daily dose of between about 0.2 and about 250 mg per kg body weight, preferably between about 0.2 mg and about 30 mg per kg of body weight, more preferably between about 2 mg and about 15 mg per kg of body weight.

With regard to feeding aqueous animals, these can be fed one or more times per day to satiation by manually broadcasting the novel triterpenoid saponin supplemented feed formulation or the feed additive itself, comprising essentially at least one triterpenoid saponin compound of the invention, across the surface of the water or automatically from mechanical feeders. In order to achieve maximum growth, conversion and survival rates in accordance with this invention, the daily nutrient requirements of the aqueous animals must be met. In addition, disease and water quality management techniques should be utilised to provide a healthy and stress free environment for normal growth and development.

The compounds of the present invention can also be used as active(s) for treating conditions associated with reduced nitric oxide levels in an animal or for producing beneficial effects in an animal which are ameliorable by enhancing the nitric oxide levels in an animal. In a preferred embodiment, the condition is a stress-related condition. In this respect, the stress-related condition may be caused for example, by placing an animal in a confined space (e.g. cage, hatchery etc).

The actives of the present invention also have the effect of enhancing the immune function of an animal, and serve as preventive and therapeutic agents for various maladies and infectious diseases by virtue of this effect and thus the diseases against which this composition or agent is efficacious are not particularly limited.

The actives can be administered to an animal either by themselves or in pharmaceutical compositions where they are mixed with a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Accordingly, the invention also provides a composition for effecting the above treatments, improvements and enhancements comprising dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin as broadly described above, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Depending on the specific conditions being treated, the active(s) may be formulated and administered systemically or locally. Techniques for formulation and administration may be found in "Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences," Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., latest edition. Suitable routes may, for example, include oral, rectal, transmucosal, or intestinal administration; parenteral delivery, including intramuscular, subcutaneous, intramedullary injections, as well as intrathecal, direct intraventricular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, or intraocular injections. For injection, the therapeutic agents of the invention may be formulated in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hanks' solution, Ringer's solution, or physiological saline buffer. For transmucosal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art. Intra-muscular and subcutaneous injection is appropriate, for example, for administration of immunogenic compositions and vaccines.

The agents can be formulated readily using pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art into dosages suitable for oral administration. Such carriers enable the compounds of the invention to be formulated in dosage forms such as tablets, pills, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions and the like, for oral ingestion by a patient to be treated. These carriers may be selected from sugars, starches, cellulose and its derivatives, malt, gelatine, talc, calcium sulphate, vegetable oils, synthetic oils, polyols, alginic acid, phosphate buffered solutions, emulsifiers, isotonic saline, and pyrogen-free water.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in the present invention include compositions wherein the active ingredients are contained in an effective amount to achieve its intended purpose. The dose of agent administered to an animal should be sufficient to effect a beneficial response in the animal over time such as an increase in nitric oxide levels in the animal or an increase in the health of the animal, a decrease in the symptom(s) associated with stress or with infection by a pathogenic organism. The quantity of the active(s) to be administered may depend on the animal to be treated inclusive of the age, sex, weight and general health condition thereof. In this regard, precise amounts of the active(s) for administration will depend on the judgement of the practitioner. In determining the effective amount of the active to be administered in a said treatment, improvement or enhancement, the practitioner may evaluate the progression of a condition to be treated. In any event, those of skill in the art may readily determine suitable dosages of the active(s) of the invention.

Pharmaceutical formulations for parenteral administration include aqueous solutions of the active compounds in water-soluble form. Additionally, suspensions of the active compounds may be prepared as appropriate oily injection suspensions. Suitable lipopbilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters, such as ethyl oleate or triglycerides, or liposomes. Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances that increase the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, or dextran. Optionally, the suspension may also contain suitable stabilisers or agents which increase the solubility of the compounds to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions.

Pharmaceutical preparations for oral use can be obtained by combining the active compounds with solid excipient, optionally grinding a resulting mixture, and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired, to obtain tablets or dragee cores. Suitable excipients are, in particular, fillers such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol; cellulose preparations such as., for example, maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, gelatin, gum tragacanth, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, sodium carboxymefhylcellύlose, and/or polyvinylpyrrohdone (PVP). If desired, disintegrating agents may be added, such as the cross-linked polyvinyl pynolidone, agar, or alginic acid or a salt thereof such as sodium alginate. Such compositions may be prepared by any of the methods of pharmacy but all methods include the step of bringing into association one or more therapeutic agents as described above with the carrier which constitutes one or more necessary ingredients. In general, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be manufactured in a manner that is itself known, e.g., by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping or lyophilising processes.

Dragee cores are provided with suitable coatings. For this purpose, concentrated sugar solutions may be used, which may optionally contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carbopol gel, polyethylene glycol, and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions, and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures. Dyestuffs or pigments may be added to the tablets or dragee coatings for identification or to characterise different combinations of active compound doses.

Pharmaceutical which can be used orally include push-fit capsules made of gelatin, as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and a plasticiser, such as glycerol or sorbitol. The push-fit capsules can contain the active ingredients in admixture with filler such as lactose, binders such as starches, and/or lubricants such as talc or magnesium stearate and, optionally, stabilisers. In soft capsules, the active compounds may be dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, liquid paraffin, or liquid polyethylene glycols. In addition, stabilisers may be added. Dosage forms of the therapeutic agents of the invention may also include injecting or implanting controlled releasing devices designed specifically for this purpose or other forms of implants modified to act additionally in this fashion. Controlled release of an agent of the invention may be effected by coating the same, for example, with hydrophobic polymers including acrylic resins, waxes, higher aliphatic alcohols, polylactic and polyglycolic acids and certain cellulose derivatives such as hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose. In addition, controlled release may be effected by using other polymer matrices, liposomes and/or microspheres.

The active(s) of the present invention may be provided as salts with pharmaceutically compatible counterions. Pharmaceutically compatible salts may be formed with many acids, including but not limited to hydrochloric, sulfuric, acetic, lactic, tartaric, malic, succinic, etc. Salts tend to be more soluble in aqueous or other protonic solvents that are the corresponding free base forms.

For any compound used in the method of the invention, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially from cell culture assays. For example, a dose can be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating concentration range that includes the IC50 as determined in cell culture (e.g., the concentration of active(s), which achieves a half-maximal enhancement in immune effector concentrations or a half-maximal inhibition is stress markers). Such information can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in animals.

Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of such therapeutic agents can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals, e.g., for determining the LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of the population) and the ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio LD50/ED50. Compounds that exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred. The data obtained from these cell culture assays and animal studies-can be used in formulating a range of dosage for use in animals. The dosage of such compounds lies preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED50 with little or no toxicity. The dosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage form employed and the route of administration utilised. The exact formulation, route of administration and dosage can be chosen by the individual practitioner in view of an animal's condition. (See for example Fingl et al, 1975, in "The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics", Ch. 1 pi).

Dosage amount and interval may be adjusted individually to provide plasma levels of the active(s) which are sufficient to maintain immune effector enhancement or stress reducing effects. Stated in terms of body weight, usual dosages range from between about 0.02 and about 25 mg per kg per day, commonly between about 0.02 and about 3 mg per kg per day, typically between about 0.2 and 1.5 mg per kg per day.

Alternately, one may administer the compound in a local rather than systemic manner, for example, via injection of the compound directly into a tissue often in a depot or sustained release formulation.

Furthermore, one may administer the active in a targeted drug delivery system, for example, in a liposome coated with tissue-specific antibody. The liposomes will be targeted to and taken up selectively by the tissue.

In cases of local administration or selective uptake, the effective local concentration of the active may not be related to plasma concentration.

In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, particular preferred embodiments will now be described by way of the following non- limiting examples.

EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1

Preparation of bacopasaponin extract from Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi)

A sample of Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) (l.Og) was macerated in 3 x 25-mL of dry acetone (dried over potassium carbonate). The macerate was filter/centrifuged each time and the residue was dried under vacuum. Ten milligrams of powdered extract was heated with 5 drops of orthophosphoric acid in a test tube (or until filter paper kept moist on the mouth of the test tube with aniline acetate turns pink).

Two hundred and fifty milligrams of powdered extract was hydrolysed by boiling with 4N; 50% (v/v) aqueous ethanolic sulphuric acid (5 mL). The ethanol was subsequently removed under vacuum. The aqueous suspension was extracted with two quantities, 5 mL each of freshly washed (phosgene free) chloroform. The combined chloroform layer was neutralised by washing with 0.1% (v/v) aqueous solution of ammonia, followed by 2 washes with water, followed by drying over anhydrous sodium sulphate and evaporating the solvent to dryness. The 0.001% (w/v) solution of the residue in methanol exhibited characteristic maxima at 269, 278 and 289 nm.

EXAMPLE 2

Chromatographic fingerprint of bacopasaponin extract

Thin layer chromatography was carried out using silica gel G plates of 0.2-mm thickness and a mixture of 8 parts of ethylacetate, 1 part methanol and 1 part water as the mobile phase. One mL of test solution containing the extract of Example 1 at about 1 μg/mL is then, added to 1 mL 4N aqueous sulphuric acid (A.R.). This mixture was refmxed on a water-bath for 4 hours, allowed to cool and diluted with 4 mL distilled water before the methanol was removed under vacuum. The aqueous solution was then extracted four times with chloroform (G.R., phosgene free) and the combined chloroform extract was washed with 0.1 % solution of a base (e.g. ammonia), followed by twice with distilled water. The extract was dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and the chloroform removed under vacuum. The residue was dissolved in methanol (A.R.) up to a final volume of 10 mL. The optical density (O.D.) of the solution was then determined at 278 nm against a blank. The content of bacopasaponin in the extract was calculated by running reference standard bacopasaponins side by side, or by using the following linear regression curve formula:

C = KX O.D. + B

(where, C = concentration of bacopasaponin in μg/mL: K = 50.957 and B = 1.2974

EXAMPLE 3

Enhancing hatch rate offish eggs

Five hundred milligram of an extract prepared according to Example 1 containing 45 wt.% bacopasaponins was dispensed into 10 L of water containing 300 common carp (Cypnnus carpi o) eggs. The water was continuously aerated. The results presented in Table 1 show a significant increase in the percentage of eggs that hatched in the bacopasaponin-supplemented water (about 87%) relative to the control (about 57%). This represents an increase in egg hatchings of 65.4%.

TABLE 1

Number of eggs treated 300

Number of eggs in control 300

Number of hatchings in control 170

Number of hatchings in the bacopasaponin-supplemented water 260

Percentages of hatchings in control 56.67%

Percentage of hatchings in the bacopasaponin-supplemented 86.67% water

Further treatment of the fries for four weeks by addition of the same amount of extract with their normal solid fish feed increased the percentage survival of the fries to the adult stage by about 35% relative to untreated fries (i.e., 80% of treated fries survived to the adult stage compared to 45% of untreated fries).

EXAMPLE 4

Enhancing growth rate offish

Extract prepared according to Example 1 was incorporated at a level of 0.5 mg/kg (feed-1) and 1 mgkg (feed-2) in a standard feed containing 40% protein. The feed was powdered and fed to common carp fish fries. The feeding trials were carried out in a trough with 10 litres of water. Ten fries were introduced in the trough. The water was aerated continuously and the faecal matters were cleaned daily. The fries were fed ad libitum. The experiment was carried out for a penod of 30 days. The results of the experiment are presented in Table 2:

TABLE 2

These results indicate that fish fed with the extract-containing feeds gained significantly more weight than fish fed with the control feed. In this regard, the mean weight gain of fish per day was 0.0021 g for feed-1, 0.0046 g for feed-2 and 0.0008 g for the control. Accordingly, a greater than two-fold increase in growth of fish was obtained with feed-1 and a six-fold increase was obtained with feed-2 when compared to the control feed.

! EXAMPLE 5

Enhancing quality and quantity of milk produced by cows

Twenty weeks after parturition 200 Indian Jersey cows were divided into the following 2 groups of 100 cows and fed a designated feed for 12 weeks: Group A where the basic feed as listed in Table 3 was given; Group B where 500 mg per day of an extract prepared according to Example 1, containing 45 wt.% bacopasaponins, mixed with a basic feed listed in Table 3, was given. The animals took water ad libitum.

TABLE 3

The Group B (treated) cows produced 16% more milk compared to Group A (control) cows. Milk obtained from the treated cows had 17% more protein (3.77 g/100 mL compared to 3.22 g/100 mL of milk for control cows), 23% more fat and 93% more β- carotene (150 μg/mL compared to 285 μg/mL of milk for control cows). When the supply of extract-containing feed to the Group B treated cows was withdrawn, milk yields reduced to normal levels after 15 days. It was also found quite unexpectedly that use of the bacopasaponin extract as a feed additive could substantially reduce the fodder intake per cow by about 20-25% without significantly reducing the amount or quality of the milk produced. It was also found that milk obtained from Group B cows after five days of treatment comprised about 5 times more Vitamin A, about 2 to 9 times more Vitamin D, and about 4 to 7 times more Vitamin E compared to milk obtained from Group A cows (Table 4).

TABLE 4

Dairy products (e.g., butter and ghee) produced from Group B cow milk contained significantly higher levels of Vitamin A as compared to dairy products produced from Group A cow milk (Table 5).

TABLE 5

EXAMPLE 6

Increasing the rate of weight gain in Broiler chickens

Twenty-five millilitres of a stock solution containing 5 mg/mL of an extract comprising 45 wt.% bacopasaponins prepared according to Example 1 was added twice daily to the common drinking water of 100 Broiler chickens. A control group of 100 chickens was given water only. The animals took water ad libitum. The treated chickens attained their market weight of 1.5 kg at day 42 as compared to day 46-48 for control chickens. This resulted in a saving of 4-6 days of feed, which correlates to a 15-20% increase in economic gain. The treated chickens also showed a 50% reduction in the rate of mortality (4%) compared to control chickens (8-10%). It was also observed that the meat of treated chickens was appreciably leaner relative to control chickens.

EXAMPLE 7

Enhancing quantity anά quality of poultry eggs

Twenty-five millilirres of a stock solution containing 5 mg/mL of an extract comprising 45 wt.% bacopasaponins (prepared according to Example 1) was added twice daily to the common drinking water of 100 first cycle egg-laying chickens (i.e, chickens laying eggs for the first time). A control group of 100 first cycle-laying chickens was given water only. The animals took water ad libitum. Bacopasaponin treatment increased the number of chickens producing eggs by about 6% (i.e. 90% of control chickens as compared to 96% of treated chickens), increased egg weight by about 4% (i.e. from 55 to 57 g), increased /3-carotene of the egg yolk by about 3%, increased egg shell strength and reduced yolk cholesterol. The treatment also reduced feed consumption by about 3% and the rate of chicken mortality by about 50% as compared to control chickens.

A similar bacopasaponin treatment of 100 second cycle chickens ("culled chickens") increased the number of chickens producing eggs by about 31% (i.e. 65% of control chickens as compared to 85% of treated chickens).

EXAMPLE 8

Sericulture

Three hundred silk worms (treated group ) were fed mulberry leaves sprayed with glucose water containing 0.05 mg/mL of an extract comprising 45 wt.% bacopasaponins (prepared according to Example 1) three times daily from the fifth day after hatching until the end of their life cycle (about the twenty-fifth day after hatching). Three hundred control silk worms (control group) were fed mulberry leaves sprayed with glucose water only. The nest weight of the treated group (1.47 g) was about 34% higher relative to that of the control group (1.20 g). Further, the thread produced by the treated silk worms was of a higher quality in that it was longer, darker and had more lustre (i.e. shine).

The percentage of worms that progressed to cocoon building was also higher in the treated group (93%) relative to the control group (67%). Mortality and non- productivity was also significantly reduced in the treated group.

EXAMPLE 9

Increasing Vitamin A content of beef

The basic feed listed in Table 3 supplemented with 500 mg of an extract prepared according to Example 1, containing 45 wt.% bacopasaponins was given daily to cattle for 15 days prior to slaughter. Beef, especially liver, obtained from these animals had a significantly higher Vitamin A content as compared to control animals fed with the basic feed alone.

The disclosure of every publication cited herein is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The citation of any reference herein should not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as "Prior Art" to the instant application

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Those of skill in the art will therefore appreciate that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A feed additive for animals, comprising a compound selected from a dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin or derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or combination of these.

2. The feed additive of claim 1, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a pseudojujubogenin glycoside.

3. The feed additive of claim 1, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a compound represented by a general formula selected from the group of consisting of:

wherein:

R and R are individually and independently selected from H or any other cation, preferably a metallic cation, more preferably an alkaline metallic cation (such as K⁺, Na⁺ and the like) or alkaline earth metallic cation (such as Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and the like), lower alkyl including linear and branched alkyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl and the like), lower alkene including linear or branched alkenes (such as vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, isopentenyl, allyl and the like), lower alkanoyl (such as acetyl, propionyl and butyryl), benzyl, a carbohydrate moiety comprising at least one carbohydrate monomer, modified or unmodified, branched or unbranched, the carbohydrate moiety preferably comprising five membered ring structures, six membered ring structures or both, the carbohydrate monomer preferably selected from /3-D- glucopyranosyl, β-L-glucopyranosyl, c-L-arabinopyranosyl, and c-L-arabinofuranosyl; and

4. The feed additive of claim 3, wherein said compound has the general formula (I), R¹ is 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl and R² is 20-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl.

5. The feed additive of claim 3, wherein said compound has the general formula (II), R¹ is selected from the group consisting of 3-O-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-2) - arabinopyranosyl], 3-O-[j3-D-glucopyranosyl (1-3) {α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2)} -L- arabinopyranosyl] and 3-O-[c-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2) /3-D-glucopyranosyl] pseudojujubogenin and R² is H.

6. The feed additive of claim 3, wherein said compound has the general formula (HI), R¹ is H and R³ is H.

7. The feed additive of claim 3, wherein said compound has the general formula (TV) and R^l is H.

8. The feed additive of claim 3, wherein said compound has the general formula (V), R¹ is H.

9. The feed additive of claim 1, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasapomn B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

10. The feed additive of claim 1, wherein said derivative is selected from ethoxylate derivatives, propoxylate derivatives, hydrates, aldehyde derivatives, ester derivatives, ether derivatives, alcohol derivatives, phenol derivatives, amine derivatives, other biologically or chemically equivalent substances, or any combination of two or more of the foregoing.

11. The feed additive of claim 1, wherein said compound is in the form of a chemical fraction derived from a plant of the genus Bacopa.

12. The feed additive of claim 11, wherein said plant is selected from Bacopa caroliniana, Bacopa egensis, Bacopa eisenii, Bacopa innominata, Bacopa monnieri, Bacopa procumbens, Bacopa repens, Bacopa rotundifolia and Bacopa stricta.

13. The feed additive of claim 11, wherein said plant is Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi).

14. The feed additive of claim 11, wherein said chemical fraction comprises at least one bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

15. Use of a compound selected from a dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin or derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or combination of these in the preparation of a feed additive for preparing animal feed or for improving animal produce or for increasing the growth, conversion and/or survival rate of aqueous animals.

16. The use of claim 15, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a pseudojujubogenin glycoside.

17. The use of claim 15, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a compound represented by a general formula selected from the group of consisting of:

wherein:

R¹ and R³ are individually and independently selected from H or any other cation, preferably a metallic cation, more preferably an alkaline metallic cation (such as K⁺, Na⁺ and the like) or alkaline earth metallic cation (such as Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and the like), lower alkyl including linear and branched alkyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl and the like), lower alkene including linear or branched alkenes (such as vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, isopentenyl, allyl and the like), lower alkanoyl (such as acetyl, propionyl and butyryl), benzyl, a carbohydrate moiety comprising at least one carbohydrate monomer, modified or unmodified, branched or unbranched, the carbohydrate moiety preferably comprising five membered ring structures, six membered ring structures or both, the carbohydrate monomer preferably selected from j8-D- glucopyranosyl, 3-L-glucopyranosyl, α-L-arabinopyranosyl, and Oi-L-arabinofuranosyl; and

R² is H or any other cation, preferably a metallic cation, more preferably an alkaline metallic cation (such as K⁺, Na and the like) or alkaline earth metallic cation (such as Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and the like), lower alkyl including linear and branched alkyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl and the like), lower alkene including linear or branched alkenes (such as vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, isopentenyl, allyl and the like), lower alkanoyl (such as acetyl, propionyl and butyryl), benzyl, a carbohydrate moiety comprising at least one carbohydrate monomer, modified or unmodified, branched or unbranched, the carbohydrate moiety preferably comprising five membered ring structures, six membered ring structures or both, the carbohydrate monomer preferably comprising α-L-arabinopyranosyl.

18. The use of claim 17, wherein said compound has the general formula (I), R¹ is 3-O-α- L-arabinopyranosyl and R² is 20-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl.

19. The use of claim 17, wherein said compound has the general formula (II), R¹ is selected from the group consisting of 3-O-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-2) - arabinopyranosyl], 3-O-[j3-D-glucopyranosyl (1-3) {α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2)} α-L- arabinopyranosyl] and 3-O-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2) 3-D-glucopyranosyl] pseudojujubogenin and R² is H.

20. The use of claim 17, wherein said compound has the general formula (III), R¹ is H and R³ is H.

21. The use of claim 17, wherein said compound has the general formula (TV) and R¹ is H.

22. The use of claim 17, wherein said compound has the general formula (V), R¹ is H.

23. The use of claim 15, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

24. The use of claim 15, wherein said derivative is selected from ethoxylate derivatives, propoxylate derivatives, hydrates, aldehyde derivatives, ester derivatives, ether derivatives, alcohol derivatives, phenol derivatives, amine derivatives, other biologically or chemically equivalent substances, or any combination of two or more of the foregoing.

25. The use of claim 15, wherein said compound is in the form of a chemical fraction derived from a plant of the genus Bacopa.

26. The use of claim 25, wherein said plant is selected from Bacopa caroliniana, Bacopa egensis, Bacopa eisenii, Bacopa innominata, Bacopa monnieri, Bacopa procumbens, Bacopa repens, Bacopa rotundifolia and Bacopa stricta.

27. The use of claim 25, wherein said plant is Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi).

28. The use of claim 25, wherein said chemical fraction comprises at least one bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

29. An animal feed comprising said feed additive of claim 1.

30. An animal feed comprising said feed additive of claim 2.

31. An animal feed comprising said feed additive of claim 3.

32. An animal feed comprising said feed additive of claim 9.

33. An animal feed comprising said feed additive of claim 11.

34. .A method of increasing the egg production rate, egg weight, egg nutrition content or egg shell strength of a bird, comprising feeding to the bird an animal feed comprising an effective amount of a compound selected from a dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin or derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or combination of these.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a pseudojujubogenin glycoside.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a compound represented by a general formula selected from the group of consisting of:

wherein:

R¹ and R³ are individually and independently selected from H or any other cation, preferably a metallic cation, more preferably an alkaline metallic cation (such as K⁺, Na⁺ and the like) or alkaline earth metallic cation (such as Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and the like), lower alkyl including linear and branched alkyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl and the like), lower alkene including linear or branched alkenes (such as vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, isopentenyl, allyl and the like), lower alkanoyl (such as acetyl, propionyl and butyryl), benzyl, a carbohydrate moiety comprising at least one carbohydrate monomer, modified or unmodified, branched or unbranched, the carbohydrate moiety preferably comprising five membered ring structures, six membered ring structures or both, the carbohydrate monomer preferably selected from /3-D- glucopyranosyl, j3-L-glucopyranosyl, α-L-arabinopyranosyl, and α-L-arabinofuranosyl; and

R is H or any other cation, preferably a metallic cation, more preferably an alkaline metallic cation (such as K⁺, Na⁺ and the like) or alkaline earth metallic cation (such as Mg , Ca and the like), lower alkyl including linear and branched alkyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl and the like), lower alkene including linear or branched alkenes (such as vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, isopentenyl, allyl and the like), lower alkanoyl (such as acetyl, propionyl and butyryl), benzyl, a carbohydrate moiety comprising at least one carbohydrate monomer, modified or unmodified, branched or unbranched, the carbohydrate moiety preferably comprising five membered ring structures, six membered ring structures or both, the carbohydrate monomer preferably comprising α-L-arabinopyranosyl.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said compound has the general formula (I), R¹ is 3- O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl and R² is 20-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein said compound has the general formula (II), R¹ is selected from the group consisting of 3-O-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-2) α- arabinopyranosyl], 3-O-[j3-D-glucopyranosyl (1-3) {α-L-arabmofuranosyl (1-2)} α-L- arabinopyranosyl] and 3-O-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2) |3-D-glucopyranosyl] pseudojujubogenin and R i^ H.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein said compound has the general formula (III), R¹ is H and R³ is H.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein said compound has the general formula (TV) and R¹ is H.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein said compound has the general formula (V), R¹ is H.

42. The method of claim 34, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

43. The method of claim 34, wherein said derivative is selected from ethoxylate derivatives, propoxylate derivatives, hydrates, aldehyde derivatives, ester derivatives, ether derivatives, alcohol derivatives, phenol derivatives, amine derivatives, other biologically or chemically equivalent substances, or any combination of two or more of the foregoing.

44. The method of claim 34, wherein said compound is in the form of a chemical fraction derived from a plant of the genus Bacopa.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said plant is selected from Bacopa caroliniana, Bacopa egensis, Bacopa eisenii, Bacopa innominata, Bacopa monnieri, Bacopa procumbens, Bacopa repens, Bacopa rotundifolia and Bacopa stricta.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein said plant is Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi).

47. The method of claim 44, wherein said chemical fraction comprises at least one bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasapomn F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

48. The method of claim 34, wherein said bird is a chicken.

49. A method of increasing the yield, protein content or vitamin content of milk produced by an animal, comprising feeding to the animal an animal feed comprising an effective amount of a compound selected from a dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin or derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or combination of these.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a pseudojujubogenin glycoside.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a compound represented by a general formula selected from the group of consisting of:

wherein:

R¹ and R³ are individually and independently selected from H or any other cation, preferably a metallic cation, more preferably an alkaline metallic cation (such as K⁺, Na⁺- and the like) or alkaline earth metallic cation (such as Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and the like), lower alkyl including linear and branched alkyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl and the like), lower alkene including linear or branched alkenes (such as vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, isopentenyl, allyl and the like), lower alkanoyl (such as acetyl, propionyl and butyryl), benzyl, a carbohydrate moiety comprising at least one carbohydrate monomer, modified or unmodified, branched or unbranched, the carbohydrate moiety preferably comprising five membered ring structures, six membered ring structures or both, the carbohydrate monomer preferably selected from /3-D- glucopyranosyl, (3-L-glucopyranosyl, α-L-arabinopyranosyl, and α-L-arabinofuranosyl; and

R is H or any other cation, preferably a metallic cation, more preferably an alkaline metallic cation (such as K⁺, Na⁺ and the like) or alkaline earth metallic cation (such as Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and the like), lower alkyl including linear and branched alkyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl and the like), lower alkene including linear or branched alkenes (such as vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, isopentenyl, allyl and the like), lower alkanoyl (such as acetyl, propionyl and butyryl), benzyl, a carbohydrate moiety comprising at least one carbohydrate monomer, modified or unmodified, branched or unbranched, the carbohydrate moiety preferably comprising five membered ring structures, six membered ring structures or both, the carbohydrate monomer preferably comprising α-L-arabinopyranosyl.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein said compound has the general formula (I), R¹ is 3- O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl and R² is 20-O-α-L-arabinoρyranosyl.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein said compound has the general formula (II), R¹ is selected from the group consisting of 3-O-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-2) α- arabinopyranosyl], 3 -O- [/3-D-glucopyranosyl (1-3) {α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2)} α-L- arabinopyranosyl] and 3-O-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2) 3-D-glucopyranosyl] pseudojujubogenin and R² is H.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein said compound has the general formula (III), R¹ is H and R³ is H.

55. The method of claim 51, wherein said compound has the general formula (TV) and R¹ is H.

56. The method of claim 51, wherein said compound has the general formula (V), R¹ is H.

57. The method of claim 49, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

58. The method of claim 49, wherein said derivative is selected from ethoxylate derivatives, propoxylate derivatives, hydrates, aldehyde derivatives, ester derivatives, ether derivatives, alcohol derivatives, phenol derivatives, amine derivatives, other biologically or chemically equivalent substances, or any combination of two or more of the foregoing.

59. The method of claim 49, wherein said compound is in the form of a chemical fraction derived from a plant of the genus Bacopa.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein said plant is selected from Bacopa caroliniana, Bacopa egensis, Bacopa eisenii, Bacopa innominata, Bacopa monnieri, Bacopa procumbens, Bacopa repens, Bacopa rotundifolia and Bacopa stricta.

61. The method of claim 59, wherein said plant is Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi).

62. The method of claim 59, wherein said chemical fraction comprises at least one bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

63. The method of claim 49, wherein said animal is selected from a cow, goat or sheep.

64. The method of claim 49, wherein said animal is a cow.

65. The method of claim 49, wherein the vitamin is selected from Vitamin A, Vitamin D or Vitamin E.

66. The method of claim 49, wherein the vitamin is selected from Vitamin A or Vitamin D.

67. The method of claim 49, wherein the vitamin is Vitamin A.

68. A dairy product produced or derived from an animal which has been fed according to the method of claim 49.

69. The dairy product of claim 68, wherein said product is selected from milk, butter, ghee, cheese, cream and yoghurt.

70. The dairy product of claim 68, wherein said product is milk.

71. A method of improving the quality of animal meat, comprising feeding to the animal an animal feed comprising a meat quality improving effective amount of a compound selected from a dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin or derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or combination of these.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a pseudojujubogenin glycoside.

73. The method of claim 71, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a compound represented by a general formula selected from the group of consisting of:

wherein:

R¹ and R³ are individually and independently selected from H or any other cation, preferably a metallic cation, more preferably an alkaline metallic cation (such as K⁺, Na⁺ and the like) or alkaline earth metallic cation (such as Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and the like), lower alkyl including linear and branched alkyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl and the like), lower alkene including linear or branched alkenes (such as vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, isopentenyl, allyl and the like), lower alkanoyl (such as acetyl, propionyl and butyryl), benzyl, a carbohydrate moiety comprising at least one carbohydrate monomer, modified or unmodified, branched or unbranched, the carbohydrate moiety preferably comprising five membered ring structures, six membered ring structures or both, the carbohydrate monomer preferably selected from /3-D- glucopyranosyl, |3-L-glucopyranosyl, α-L-arabinopyranosyl, and α-L-arabinofuranosyl; and

74. The method of claim 73, wherein said compound has the general formula (I), R¹ is 3- O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl and R² is 20-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl.

75. The method of claim 73, wherein said compound has the general formula (II), R¹ is selected from the group consisting of 3-O-[α-L-arabinoρyranosyl (1-2) α- arabinopyranosyl], 3-O-[/3-D-glucopyranosyl (1-3) {α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2)} α-L- arabinopyranosyl] and 3-O-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2) 3-D-glucopyranosyl] pseudojujubogenin and R² is H.

76. The method of claim 73, wherein said compound has the general formula (III), R¹ is H and R³ is H.

77. The method of claim 73, wherein said compound has the general formula (TV) and R¹ is H.

78. The method of claim 73, wherein said compound has the general formula (V), R¹ is H.

79. The method of claim 71, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

80. The method of claim 71, wherein said derivative is selected from ethoxylate derivatives, propoxylate derivatives, hydrates, aldehyde derivatives, ester derivatives, ether derivatives, alcohol derivatives, phenol derivatives, amine derivatives, other biologically or chemically equivalent substances, or any combination of two or more of the foregoing.

81. The method of claim 71, wherein said compound is in the form of a chemical fraction derived from a plant of the genus Bacopa.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein said plant is selected from Bacopa caroliniana, Bacopa egensis, Bacopa eisenii, Bacopa innominata, Bacopa monnieri, Bacopa procumbens, Bacopa repens, Bacopa rotundifolia and Bacopa stricta.

83. The method of claim 81, wherein said plant is Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi).

84. The method of claim 81, wherein said chemical fraction comprises at least one bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasapomn B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

85. The method of claim 71, wherein the animal is selected from cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and poultry.

86. The method of claim 71, wherein the improvement relates to an increase in the vitamin content of said meat, wherein said vitamin is selected from Vitamins A, D or E.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein said vitamin is Vitamin A.

88. Meat produced from an animal which has been fed according to the method of claim 71.

89. The meat of claim 86, wherein the meat is beef.

90. The meat of claim 87, wherein the meat is liver.

91. A method of enhancing the quality and/or quantity of wool, comprising feeding to a wool producing animal an animal feed comprising a wool quantity/quality enhancing effective amount of a compound selected from a dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin or derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or combination of these.

92. The method of claim 91, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a pseudojujubogenin glycoside.

93. The method of claim 91, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a compound represented by a general formula selected from the group of consisting of:

wherein:

1 '•I '

R and R are individually and independently selected from H or any other cation, preferably a metallic cation, more preferably an alkaline metallic cation (such as K⁺, Na⁺ and the like) or alkaline earth metallic cation (such as Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and the like), lower alkyl including linear and branched alkyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl and the like), lower alkene including linear or branched alkenes (such as vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, isopentenyl, allyl and the like), lower alkanoyl (such as acetyl, propionyl and butyryl), benzyl, a carbohydrate moiety comprising at least one carbohydrate monomer, modified or unmodified, branched or unbranched, the carbohydrate moiety preferably comprising five membered ring structures, six membered ring structures or both, the carbohydrate monomer preferably selected from /3-D- glucopyranosyl, /3-L-glucopyranosyl, α-L-arabinopyranosyl, and α-L-arabinofuranosyl; and

R² is H or any other cation, preferably a metallic cation, more preferably an alkaline metallic cation (such as K , Na and the like) or alkaline earth metallic cation (such as Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and the like), lower alkyl including linear and branched alkyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl and the like), lower alkene including linear or branched alkenes (such as vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, isopentenyl, allyl and the like), lower alkanoyl (such as acetyl, propionyl and butyryl), benzyl, a carbohydrate moiety comprising at least one carbohydrate monomer, modified or unmodified, branched or unbranched, the carbohydrate moiety preferably comprising five membered ring structures, six membered ring structures or both, the carbohydrate monomer preferably comprising α-L-arabinopyranosyl.

94. The method of claim 93, wherein said compound has the general formula (I), R¹ is 3- O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl and R² is 20-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl.

95. The method of claim 93, wherein said compound has the general formula (II), R¹ is selected from the group consisting of 3-O-[α-L-arabinoρyranosyl (1-2) α- arabinopyranosyl], 3-O-[(3-D-glucopyranosyl (1-3) {α-L-arabmofuranosyl (1-2)} α-L- arabinopyranosyl] and 3-O-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2) /3-D-glucopyranosyl] pseudojujubogenin and R² is H.

96. The method of claim 93, wherein said compound has the general formula (III), R¹ is H and R³ is H.

97. The method of claim 93, wherein said compound has the general formula (IV) and R¹ is H.

98. The method of claim 93, wherein said compound has the general formula (V), R¹ is H.

99. The method of claim 91, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

100. The method of claim 91, wherein said derivative is selected from ethoxylate derivatives, propoxylate derivatives, hydrates, aldehyde derivatives, ester derivatives, ether derivatives, alcohol derivatives, phenol derivatives, amine derivatives, other biologically or chemically equivalent substances, or any combination of two or more of the foregoing.

101. The method of claim 91, wherein said compound is in the form of a chemical fraction derived from a plant of the genus Bacopa.

102. The method of claim 101, wherein said plant is selected from Bacopa caroliniana, Bacopa egensis, Bacopa eisenii, Bacopa innominata, Bacopa monnieri, Bacopa procumbens, Bacopa repens, Bacopa rotundifolia and Bacopa stricta.

103. The method of claim 101, wherein said plant is Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi).

104. The method of claim 101, wherein said chemical fraction comprises at least one bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

105. The method of claim 91, wherein said wool producing animal is selected from sheep, goats, alpacas and llamas.

106. Wool obtained from a wool producing animal which has been fed according to the method of claim 91.

107. A method of improving the quality and or quantity of silk produced by a silk producing animal, comprising feeding to said animal an animal feed comprising a silk quantity/quality improving effective amount of a compound selected from a dammarane- type triterpenoid saponin or derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or combination of these.

108. The method of claim 107, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a pseudojujubogenin glycoside.

109. The method of claim 107, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a compound represented by a general formula selected from the group of consisting of:

wherein:

R¹ and R³ are individually and independently selected from H or any other cation, preferably a metallic cation, more preferably an alkaline metallic cation (such as K⁺, Na⁺ and the like) or alkaline earth metallic cation (such as Mg²⁺, Ca ⁺ and the like), lower alkyl including linear and branched alkyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl and the like), lower alkene including linear or branched alkenes (such as vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, isopentenyl, allyl and the like), lower alkanoyl (such as acetyl, propionyl and butyryl), benzyl, a carbohydrate moiety comprising at least one carbohydrate monomer, modified or unmodified, branched or unbranched, the carbohydrate moiety preferably comprising five membered ring structures, six membered ring structures or both, the carbohydrate monomer preferably selected from 3-D- glucopyranosyl, /3-L-glucopyranosyl, α-L-arabinopyranosyl, and α-L-arabinofuranosyl; and

110. The method of claim 109, wherein said compound has the general formula (I), R¹ is 3-O-α-L-arabinopy anosyl and R is 20-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl.

111. The method of claim 109, wherein said compound has the general formula (II), R¹ is selected from the group consisting of 3-O-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-2) α- arabinopyranosyl], 3-O-[ 3-D-glucopyranosyl (1-3) {α-L-arabmofuranosyl (1-2)} α-L- arabinopyranosyl] and 3-O-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2) /3-D-glucopyranosyl] pseudojujubogenin and R² is H.

112. The method of claim 109, wherein said compound has the general formula (III), R¹ is H and R³ is H.

113. The method of claim 109, wherein said compound has the general formula (IV) and R¹ is H.

114. The method of claim 105, wherein said compound has the general formula (V), R¹ is H.

115. The method of claim 107, wherein said darnmarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

116. The method of claim 107, wherein said derivative is selected from ethoxylate derivatives, propoxylate derivatives, hydrates, aldehyde derivatives, ester derivatives, ether derivatives, alcohol derivatives, phenol derivatives, amine derivatives, other biologically or chemically equivalent substances, or any combination of two or more of the foregoing.

117. The method of claim 107, wherein said compound is in the form of a chemical fraction derived from a plant of the genus Bacopa.

118. The method of claim 117, wherein said plant is selected from Bacopa caroliniana, Bacopa egensis, Bacopa eisenii, Bacopa innominata, Bacopa monnieri, Bacopa procumbens, Bacopa repens, Bacopa rotundifolia and Bacopa stricta.

119. The method of claim 117, wherein said plant is Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi).

120. The method of claim 117, wherein said chemical fraction comprises at least one bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

121. The method of claim 107, wherein said silk producing animal is selected from a spider or worm.

122. The method of claim 107, wherein said silk producing animal is a worm.

123. Silk obtained from a silk producing animal which has been fed according to the method of claim 107.

124. A method of enhancing the growth, conversion, egg hatch rate and/or survival rate of an aqueous animal, comprising feeding to the aqueous animal an animal feed comprising a growth, conversion and/or survival rate enhancing effective amount of a compound selected from a dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin or derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or combination of these.

125. The method of claim 124, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a pseudojujubogenin glycoside.

126. The method of claim 124, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a compound represented by a general formula selected from the group of consisting of:

wherein:

127. The method of claim 126, wherein said compound has the general formula (I), R¹ is 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl and R² is 20-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl.

128. The method of claim 126, wherein said compound has the general formula (II), R¹ is selected from the group consisting of 3-O-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-2) α- arabinopyranosyl], 3-O-[/3-D-glucopyranosyl (1-3) {α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2)} α-L- arabinopyranosyl] and 3-O-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2) /3-D-glucopyranosyl] pseudojujubogenin and R² is H.

129. The method of claim 126, wherein said compound has the general formula (III), R¹ is H and R³ is H.

130. The method of claim 126, wherein said compound has the general formula (TV) and R¹ is H.

131. The method of claim 126, wherein said compound has the general formula (V), R¹ is H.

132. The method of claim 124, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

133. The method of claim 124, wherein said derivative is selected from ethoxylate derivatives, propoxylate derivatives, hydrates, aldehyde derivatives, ester derivatives, ether derivatives, alcohol derivatives, phenol derivatives, amine derivatives, other biologically or chemically equivalent substances, or any combination of two or more of the foregoing.

134. The method of claim 124, wherein said compound is in the form of a chemical fraction derived from a plant of the genus Bacopa.

135. The method of claim 134, wherein said plant is selected from Bacopa caroliniana, Bacopa egensis, Bacopa eisenii, Bacopa innominata, Bacopa monnieri, Bacopa procumbens, Bacopa repens, Bacopa rotundifolia and Bacopa stricta.

136. The method of claim 134, wherein said plant is Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi).

137. The method of claim 134, wherein said chemical fraction comprises at least one bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasapomn B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

138. The method of claim 124, wherein said aqueous animal is selected from fish or crustaceans.

139. Use of a compound selected from a dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin or derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or combination of these in the preparation of a medicament for treating or preventing a condition associated with reduced nitric oxide levels in an animal.

140. The use of claim 139, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a pseudojujubogenin glycoside.

141. The use of claim 139, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a compound represented by a general formula selected from the group of consisting of:

wherein:

142. The use of claim 141, wherein said compound has the general formula (I), R¹ is 3- O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl and R² is 20-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl.

143. The use of claim 141, wherein said compound has the general formula (II), R¹ is selected from the group consisting of 3-O-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-2) α- arabinopyranosyl], 3-O-[/3-D-glucopyranosyl (1-3) {α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2)} α-L- arabinopyranosyl] and 3-O-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2) /3-D-glucopyranosyl] pseudojujubogenin and R² is H.

144. The use of claim 141, wherein said compound has the general formula (III), R¹ is H and R³ is H.

145. The use of claim 141, wherein said compound has the general formula (TV) and R¹ is H.

146. The use of claim 141, wherein said compound has the general formula (V), R¹ is H.

147. The use of claim 139, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

148. The use of claim 139, wherein said derivative is selected from ethoxylate derivatives, propoxylate derivatives, hydrates, aldehyde derivatives, ester derivatives, ether derivatives, alcohol derivatives, phenol derivatives, amine derivatives, other biologically or chemically equivalent substances, or any combination of two or more of the foregoing.

149. The use of claim 139, wherein said compound is in the form of a chemical fraction derived from a plant of the genus Bacopa.

150. The use of claim 149, wherein said plant is selected from Bacopa caroliniana, Bacopa egensis, Bacopa eisenii, Bacopa innominata, Bacopa monnieri, Bacopa procumbens, Bacopa repens, Bacopa rotundifolia and Bacopa stricta.

151. The use of claim 149, wherein said plant is Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi).

152. The use of claim 149, wherein said chemical fraction comprises at least one bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

153. The use of claim 139, the condition is a stress-associated condition.

154. The use of claim 139, the condition is associated with infection by a pathogenic organism.

155. A method for treating or preventing a condition associated with reduced nitric oxide levels in an animal, said method comprising administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound selected from a dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin or derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or combination of these, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent, sufficient to inhibit or ameliorate said condition.

156. The method of claim 155, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a pseudojujubogenin glycoside.

157. The method of claim 155, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a compound represented by a general formula selected from the group of consisting of:

wherein:

R¹ and R³ are individually and independently selected from H or any other cation, preferably a metallic cation, more preferably an alkaline metallic cation (such as K⁺, Na⁺ and the like) or alkaline earth metallic cation (such as Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and the like), lower alkyl including linear and branched alkyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl and the like), lower alkene including linear or branched alkenes (such as vinyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, n-butenyl, isobutenyl, isopentenyl, allyl and the like), lower alkanoyl (such as acetyl, propionyl and butyryl), benzyl, a carbohydrate moiety comprising at least one carbohydrate monomer, modified or unmodified, branched or unbranched, the carbohydrate moiety preferably comprising five membered ring structures, six membered ring structures or both, the carbohydrate monomer preferably selected from /3-D- glucopyranosyl, /3-L-glucopyranosyl, α-L-arabinopyranosyl, and α-L-arabinofuranosyl; and

158. The method of claim 157, wherein said compound has the general formula (I), R¹ is 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl and R² is 20-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl.

159. The method of claim 157, wherein said compound has the general formula (II), R¹ is selected from the group consisting of 3-O-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-2) α- arabinopyranosyl], 3-O-[/3-D-glucopyranosyl (1-3) {α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2)} α-L- arabinopyranosyl] and 3-O-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2) /3-D-glucopyranosyl] pseudojujubogenin and R is H.

160. The method of claim 157, wherein said compound has the general formula (III), R¹ is H and R³ is H.

161. The method of claim 157, wherein said compound has the general formula (TV) and R¹ is H.

162. The method of claim 157, wherein said compound has the general formula (V), R¹ is H.

163. The method of claim 155, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

164. The method of claim 155, wherein said derivative is selected from ethoxylate derivatives, propoxylate derivatives, hydrates, aldehyde derivatives, ester derivatives, ether derivatives, alcohol derivatives, phenol derivatives, amine derivatives, other biologically or chemically equivalent substances, or any combination of two or more of the foregoing.

165. The method of claim 155, wherein said compound is in the form of a chemical fraction derived from a plant of the genus Bacopa.

166. The method of claim 165, wherein said plant is selected from Bacopa caroliniana, Bacopa egensis, Bacopa eisenii, Bacopa innominata, Bacopa monnieri, Bacopa procumbens, Bacopa repens, Bacopa rotundifolia and Bacopa stricta.

167. The method of claim 165, wherein said plant is Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) .

168. The method of claim 165, wherein said chemical fraction comprises at least one bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

169. The method of claim 155, wherein said condition is a stress-associated condition.

170. The method of claim 155, wherein said condition is associated with infection by a pathogenic organism.

171. A method for enhancing the immune response of animal against infection by a pathogenic organism, said method comprising administering to said animal an immunity enhancing effective amount of the a compound selected from a dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin or derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or combination of these, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

172. The method of claim 171, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a pseudojujubogenin glycoside.

173. The method of claim 171, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a compound represented by a general formula selected from the group of consisting of:

wherein:

1 "X

174. The method of claim 173, wherein said compound has the general formula (I), R¹ is 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl and R is 20-O-α-L-arabmopyranosyl.

175. The method of claim 173, wherein said compound has the general formula (II), R¹ is selected from the group consisting of 3-O-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-2) α- arabinopyranosyl], 3-O-[/3-D-glucopyranosyl (1-3) {α-L-arabinofuranosyl (1-2)} α-L- arabinopyranosyl] and 3-O-[α-L-arabinofαranosyl (1-2) /3-D-glucopyranosyl] pseudojujubogenin and R² is H.

176. The method of claim 173, wherein said compound has the general formula (III), R¹ is H and R³ is H.

177. The method of claim 173, wherein said compound has the general formula (TV) and R¹ is H.

178. The method of claim 173, wherein said compound has the general formula (V), R¹ is H.

179. The method of claim 171, wherein said dammarane-type triterpenoid saponin is a bacopasaponin selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasapomn F, or analogue or derivative thereof.

180. The method of claim 171, wherein said derivative is selected from ethoxylate derivatives, propoxylate derivatives, hydrates, aldehyde derivatives, ester derivatives, ether derivatives, alcohol derivatives, phenol derivatives, amine derivatives, other biologically or chemically equivalent substances, or any combination of two or more of the foregoing.

181. The method of claim 171, wherein said compound is in the form of a chemical fraction derived from a plant of the genus Bacopa.

182. The method of claim 181, wherein said plant is selected from Bacopa caroliniana, Bacopa egensis, Bacopa eisenii, Bacopa innominata, Bacopa monnieri, Bacopa procumbens, Bacopa repens, Bacopa rotundifolia and Bacopa stricta.

183. The method of claim 181, wherein said plant is Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi).

184. The method of claim 181, wherein said chemical fraction comprises at least one bacopasapomn selected from bacopasaponin A, bacopasaponin B, bacopasaponin C, bacopasaponin D, bacopasaponin E, bacopasaponin F, or analogue or derivative thereof.