Recently, increasing interest in natural dietary and therapeutic preparations used as dietary supplements has been observed. One of them is frankincense. This traditional medicine of the East is believed to have anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antiseptic, and even anxiolytic and anti-neurotic effects. The present study aims to verify the reported therapeutic properties of Boswellia resin and describe its chemical composition based on available scientific studies. The main component of frankincense is oil (60%). It contains mono- (13%) and diterpenes (40%) as well as ethyl acetate (21.4%), octyl acetate (13.4%) and methylanisole (7.6%). The highest biological activity among terpenes is characteristic of 11-keto-ß-acetyl-beta-boswellic acid, acetyl-11-keto-ß-boswellic acid and acetyl-α-boswellic acid. Contemporary studies have shown that resin indeed has an analgesic, tranquilising and anti-bacterial effects. From the point of view of therapeutic properties, extracts from Boswellia serrata and Boswellia carterii are reported to be particularly useful. They reduce inflammatory conditions in the course of rheumatism by inhibiting leukocyte elastase and degrading glycosaminoglycans. Boswellia preparations inhibit 5-lipoxygenase and prevent the release of leukotrienes, thus having an anti-inflammatory effect in ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, bronchitis and sinusitis. Inhalation and consumption of Boswellia olibanum reduces the risk of asthma. In addition, boswellic acids have an antiproliferative effect on tumours. They inhibit proliferation of tumour cells of the leukaemia and glioblastoma subset. They have an anti-tumour effect since they inhibit topoisomerase I and II-alpha and stimulate programmed cell death (apoptosis).

Probiotics, prebiotics, and phytobiotics could be a possible solution as immunostimulants in monogastric animal nutrition. Beneficial effects of application thereof in animals are determined by many factors, e.g. the type of the probiotic strain, probiotic compounds, or plant species used as a supplement. A significant role is also played by the animal species, dosage, and the time and method of administration. The activity of these compounds is primarily focused on prevention of pathogen infections and, consequently, improvement of animal welfare. Probiotics compete with pathogenic bacteria by covering the intestinal epithelium mucosa, thereby interrupting pathogen colonization in the gastrointestinal tract. Supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, and phytobiotics can also induce positive changes in the intestinal morphology, e.g. elongation of villi or deepening of intestinal crypts. In a majority of cases, they also modulate the immune response of the host. They mobilise the cellular components of the innate immune system (macrophages and heterophils), which defend the animal organism against gastrointestinal infection. Another possibility is the synthesis and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines that modulate adaptive immunity or stabilization of the intestinal microbiome. The main target of immunomodulatory feed additives is reduction of local inflammation, enhancement of the function of the immune system, a substantial impact on the health status of livestock animals, and improvement of their health status and production performance.

No abstract

Boswellia serrata resin (BSR), exhibiting a variety of therapeutic properties, is applied in Asian traditional medicine. These properties can be used in poultry production as well. Application of the resin as a phytobiotic in broiler chicken rearing can increase the productivity and improve meat quality. However, the optimum and maximum levels of BSR in broiler diets need to be assessed. The study determined the effect of different levels of supplementation of BSR (directly derived, unprocessed) in diets for broiler chickens on the production traits, selected slaughter analysis parameters, nutrient digestibility and selected hematological, biochemical and immunological parameters. In total, 200 1-day-old broiler chickens were assigned randomly to four treatments with five replicate cages of 10 broiler chickens/cage (five females and five males). The experiment lasted 6 weeks, and the broiler chickens were fed diets containing 0% (control), 3% (BSR3), 4% (BSR4) or 5% (BSR5). In the broiler chickens receiving diets with addition of resin BSR3 and BSR4, there was an increase in (P<0.05) BW gain, ether extract, ADF, organic matter and energy digestibility of the diets. Moreover, the best carcass quality with a high proportion of muscles and low abdominal fat content (P<0.05) was noted in these groups. The content of uric acid (P<0.01) and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (P<0.001) and alkaline phosphatase (P<0.05) in blood plasma decreased upon the BSR supplementation. Globulin content increased in blood plasma (P<0.05) along the increasing level of BSR. The blood immunoglobulin A concentration was only affected by the BSR treatments (P<0.05). It may be concluded that BSR can be regarded as a safe and effective dietary additive for broiler chicken.

the study aimed to determine the effect of three different levels of Boswellia serrata resin added to broiler diets on the fundamental production parameters, dry matter digestibility, organic matter digestibility, energy digestibility, microbiological condition of the gastrointestinal tract, and histomorphology of the walls of the small intestine. two hundred ross 308 chicks were assigned into 4 groups (50 birds of equal body weight) in 5 replications of 10 chicks each (5 females and 5 males). the experiment lasted 6 weeks. the control group (b 0 ) was fed a standard mixture, without supplementation, whereas in groups b 1.5, b 2 , and b 2.5, the Boswellia serrata resin was added at the levels of 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5% of the complete feed mixture, respectively. the dietary supplementation with 2.0 and 2.5% of Boswellia serrata resin contributed to a significant increase in the length of the duodenum and total intestine and in the digestibility of dry matter and organic matter in feed. in these groups, the values of FCR and EEI were positively influenced (P<0.05) and an improvement in the structure of the jejunal wall was also recorded (P<0.05). An increase in the count of lactobacillus and enterococcus in the intestinal contents in broilers fed with the Boswellia serrata resin supplemented diets was observed. in conclusion, the Boswellia serrata resin can be considered as an effective feed additive, which stimulates production and has a positive effect on intestinal microflora and morphology of broilers.

Supplementation of broiler chicken diets with resin rich in bioactive components, such as different boswellic acids, could improve productivity, chemical composition, and nutritive value of produced meat. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of different levels of Boswellia serrata (BSR) supplementation in broiler chicken diet on the basic chemical composition and the Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Cu contents in the breast and drumstick muscles and liver. The analyses involved 200 Ross 308 chickens. The broiler chickens were fed with diets containing 0 (BSR0), 1.5 (BSR1.5), 2 (BSR2), and 2.5% (BSR2.5) of B. serrata resin. The supplementation of broiler chicken diets with 2.5% (BSR2.5) decreased linearly the ether extract in breast and drumstick muscles and the calorific value in drumstick muscles (P < 0.05). An increased level of Ca in the breast and drumstick muscles (control vs. BSR diets, linear, P < 0.05) and in the liver (control vs. BSR diets, quadratic, P < 0.05) as well as Mg in the drumstick muscles and liver (control vs. BSR diets, linear, P < 0.05) was noted in the BSR2 and BSR2.5 chicken groups. The BSR supplementation reduced Cu (in the breast and drumstick muscles and liver) (P < 0.05) and Zn retention (in the drumstick muscles) (C vs. BSR, linear, P < 0.05). B. serrata resin can be considered a good feed additive with a positive impact on the dietary value of poultry meat.

The study determined the effect of three different levels of Boswellia serrata tree resin (BSR) supplementation in diets for broiler chickens on the growth performance, selected slaughter analysis, nutrient digestibility, as well as haematology, biochemical and some humoral immunity blood parameters. In total, 200 1-day-old broiler chickens were assigned randomly to four treatments. The broiler chickens were fed diets containing 0 (C), 1.5 (BSR1.5), 2 (BSR2), or 2.5% Boswellia serrata resin (BSR2.5). The BSR treatments improved (P < 0.05) the feed intake and feed conversion ratio at breeding Days 22–35, but did not differentiate the nutrient digestibility in the diets. The best-quality carcass with a high proportion of muscles and low fat content (Control versus BSR diets, linear, P < 0.05) was obtained in broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with 2% and 2.5% BSR. The blood profile was affected by the BSR treatments. The lymphocyte count increased linearly in blood (P < 0.05) along the increasing amounts of BSR. The content of uric acid and aspartate aminotransferase activity in blood plasma decreased upon the BSR supplementation (Control vs BSR diets, linear, P < 0.05; and Control vs BSR diets, linear, P < 0.01, respectively). The resin of Boswellia serrata can be considered as a good botanical feed additive, which can have positive effects on the performance and health of broiler chickens.

No abstract