Ameliorating effect of Withania somnifera root extract in Escherichia coli–infected broilers

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of aqueous Withania somnifera root ( WSR ) extract in broiler chicks experimentally infected with Escherichia coli O78 @ 10 7 CFU/0.5 ml intraperitoneally. Clinical signs and mortality due to colibacillosis observed in infected chicks were mild and lasted for short duration in WSR extract supplemented group as compared with the nonsupplemented group. A significant increase in serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine phosphokinase activities and a decrease in total protein and albumin concentrations were observed in the infected groups, though these changes were of lower magnitude in WSR extract supplemented group. A significantly higher activity of oxidative blood parameters such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase enzymes were noticed in WSR extract supplemented group. The WSR extract supplemented group revealed significantly higher E. coli– specific antibody titer and enhanced lymphocyte proliferation response as compared with the nonsupplemented group. The gross and histopathological lesions of colibacillosis were mild in the WSR extract–supplemented infected group as compared with the nonsupplemented infected group. Withania somnifera root extract supplementation produced 31.48 and 34.38% protection in the gross and histopathological lesions in E. coli infected chicks, respectively. It is concluded that supplementation of 20% WSR extract @ 20 ml/L of water caused a reduction in the severity, mortality, and recovery period of E. coli infection and enhanced the humoral and cellular immune responses suggesting its protective effect on limiting the pathology of E. coli infection in broiler chickens.

Treatment Effect of Oregano Essential Oil in Broiler Chickens Experimentally Infected with Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli O27 with Emphasis on Hemogram, Serum Biochemistry, and Histopathology of Vital Organs

“…This result was confirmed by degenerative changes in the renal epithelium, slight degeneration of some renal tubules and hemorrhage in the interstitial tissue of infected group. Our results agree with Kumari et al [44,45].…”

“…Biochemical studies revealed significant increase in the serum AST and ALT activity of the infected group. Similar results have been reported by Kumari et al [44,45] who worked on E. coli infection in broiler chickens. These increases could be attributed to hepatocellular damage.…”

“…However, serum protein profile of oregano treated chickens exhibited decreases from the 3 rd till the 6 th dpi then returned to the normal levels indicating the hepatoprotective effect of oregano essential oil. Similar results have been previously reported in chickens infected by APEC [45,47]. Hypoproteinemia may be due to liver damage which causes failure in plasma protein synthesis, and renal affection which leads to protein loss [48].…”

“…In antibiotic group, creatinine level retained to the normal after the long time (at the 21 st dpi). It is may be due to the adverse effect of both endotoxins produced by APEC O27 [37,44,45] and residue antibiotic (Difloxacin) on the kidney functions [46].…”

Modulating Laying Hens Productivity and Immune Performance in Response to Oxidative Stress Induced by E. coli Challenge Using Dietary Propolis Supplementation

“…Furthermore, in Egypt, Ramadan et al [ 17 ] demonstrated the existence of shared antimicrobial resistances between E. coli isolated from retail chicken carcasses and humans. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in replacing antibiotics with an alternative variety of natural products, such as medicinal plants [ 15 , 18 ] and probiotics [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ], to ameliorate poultry antioxidant status, immune response, growth performance and egg production.…”