The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of angelica (Heracleum persicum) fruit on performance, immune responses, small intestine histology, haematological parameters and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of hydroalcoholic extract of Heracleum Persicum fruit (HPE) on performance, immune responses, small intestine morphology, haematological parameters and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of 300 day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replicates of 12 chicks each. The treatments were comprised of a corn-soybean meal base diet supplemented with five levels of HPE at 0(control), 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg diet. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) was increased by 100 mg/kg of HPE comparing to control group during 11-24 d (p < 0.05). HPE at the levels of 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg, decreased (p < 0.05) serum cholesterol comparing to control group and showed a linear response to different levels of HPE (p = 0.0007). Also, LDL was decreased by 300 mg/kg of HPE (p < 0.05). The villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH/CD) was increased by 400 mg/kg of HPE, comparing to control group at 42 d (p < 0.05). Also, this ratio showed a linear response to different levels of HPE (p = 0.007). The results of this study indicated that HPE improves performance and intestine morphometrical and haematological parameters of broiler chickens. ARTICLE HISTORY

Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Hogweed and Anise on Broiler Meat Quality, Immune Responses, and Intestinal Microflora and Morphology

“…In diets containing PFA, villus height, VH/CD, and vil-lus area were notably higher in broiler chicks fed with synthetic (PrimaLac ® probiotics and oxytetracycline) or natural (hogweed and anise) food additives, which promote the absorption of nutrients. The present study results were not in congruence with earlier reports, which indicated that supplementation of diet with plant extract increased the villus height (23) and VH/CD ratio (9,11). Moreover, Amad et al (21), showed that PFA supplementation causes jejunal morphological changes, which may affect the absorption of nutrients and improve feed conversion ratio (FCR).…”

“…The improved immune function by prebiotics supplementation can be attributed to preferential colonization of beneficial bacteria and microbial products that produce immune response. On the contrary, Eftekhari et al (9) observed that broiler diet supplemented with hogweed did not have any significant effects on primary and secondary antibody responses. Furthermore, Hong et al (23), reported that total antibody titer was not affected by the commercial blend of phytogenics supplementation, which was similar to the current study findings regarding PFAs supplementation.…”

“…The main constituents of hogweed seed include trans-anetole, hexyl butyrate, octyl acetate, and hexyl isobutyrate (8). Research on hogweed suggests its beneficial effects on growth (9-11), immune function (12,13), hematological parameters (14), and intestine morphometrics (9). Studies also show that addition of hogweed to diet can prevent oxidative changes by free radicals and other reactive species through radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition (15).…”

Functional bioactive substance improves the growth performance, antioxidant capacity and immune function of growth retardation pigs

“…Composited functional bioactive substance packages including complex-probiotic-preparation, herb complex extract and multi-enzyme complex were used to alleviate the growth retardation s induced by complicated factors in the postnatal days of pigs in the present study. The growth-promoting effects of these bioactive substances have been well documented in animals (Ghaedi, Nasr, Kheiri, Rahimian, & Miri, 2014;Li et al, 2017;Morteza, Ahmad, Abdolmansour, Abolghasem, & Hassan, 2018). The present results showed that dietary supplementation with composited functional packages improved metabolic status and anti-oxidant capacity and activated immune response.…”

“…Although the FP administration didn't improve the average daily gain, the feed:gain ratio was significantly reduced that accompanied with the increased serum concentrations of aspartic acid, cysteine, arginine, proline and taurine. The main ingredients of the herbal complex used in the present study were Angelica water extract, Ligustrum lucidum, Gentian extract and black pepper that have indicated to improve the growth performance of broilers and piglets (Li et al, 2017;Morteza et al, 2018). For example, the multi-enzyme complex functional enzymes such as amylase, cellulase, lactase and so on can degrade the indigestible part of the nutrients in the feed and promote the absorption of nutrients, thereby improving the feed conversion rate (Omogbenigun, Nyachoti, & Slominski, 2004).…”