Exploring the Ameliorating Role of Thymus Vulgaris and Artemisia Annua Powders on the Side Effects of Diclazuril Drug in Eimeria Tenella Experimentally Infected Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Ameliorating effect of Thymus vulgaris and Artemisia annua powders on the adverse effects of diclazuril; an anticoccidial drug of E. tenella experimentally infected broiler chickens was investigated. Total of ( 105), one-day old cup broiler chicks were divided into seven groups each of 15 chickens: Group1 (G1) served as negative control. The other six groups were directly inoculated intra-crop with sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella on the 15 th day of age. G2 was kept as the control positive. G3 treated with diclazuril (1ppm) in drinking water, G4 was fed ration mixed with Thymus vulgaris powder (5gm/kg -1 ). G5 was treated with diclazuril and Thymus vulgaris powder, while G6 was fed ration mixed with Artemisia annua powder (3gm/kg -1 ). G7 was treated with diclazuril and Artemisia annua powder. The experiment was continued for six weeks. The oocyst output, some biochemical parameters, hematological, immunological, drug residue, genotoxicity and histopathological changes were investigated. The results revealed that diclazuril had a worse effect on body weight, weight gain and feed conversion rate, while Thymus vulgaris ameliorates these worse effect, furthermore it failed to give complete coccidial clear, while Artemisia annua with diclazuril causes potent anti-coccidial effect. Diclazuril residues were detected in tissues. Administration of Thymus vulgaris and Artemisia annua had great value in decreasing diclazuril residues, enhance the immune profile and improved genotoxicity. In conclusion: administration of Thymus vulgaris and Artemisia annua powders with diclazuril can be successfully used in practice for ameliorating the adverse effects of diclazuril.