Use of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Herb as a Feed Additive in Poultry: Current Knowledge and Prospects

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe present review updates the current knowledge about the beneficial effect of licorice supplementation in poultry diets, particularly its positive effect on the treatment of high-prevalence diseases of the immune system, liver, and lungs.AbstractSupplementation of livestock and poultry diets with herbal plants containing bioactive components have shown promising reports as natural feed supplements. These additives are able to promote growth performance and improve feed efficiency, nutrient digestion, antioxidant status, immunological indices, and poultry health. Several studies have used complex herbal formulas with the partial inclusion of licorice. However, the individual use of licorice has been rarely reported. The major problem of the poultry industry is the epidemiological diseases, mainly confined to the respiratory, digestive, and immune systems. Licorice has certain bioactive components such as flavonoids and glycyrrhizin. The roots of this herb contain 1 to 9% glycyrrhizin, which has many pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, antiviral, anti-infective and anti-inflammatory properties. Licorice extracts (LE) have a positive effect on the treatment of high-prevalence diseases such as the immune system, liver, and lung diseases. Studies showed that adding LE to drinking water (0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 g/L) reduced serum total cholesterol (p < 0.05) of broiler chickens. Moreover, LE supplementation in poultry diets plays a significant role in their productive performance by enhancing organ development and stimulating digestion and appetite. Along with its growth-promoting effects, licorice has detoxifying, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and other health benefits in poultry. This review describes the beneficial applications and recent aspects of the Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) herb, including its chemical composition and role in safeguarding poultry health.

The Biodegradation Role of Saccharomyces cerevisiae against Harmful Effects of Mycotoxin Contaminated Diets on Broiler Performance, Immunity Status, and Carcass characteristics

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Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Moringa oleifera Leaves and/or Seeds Powder on Production, Egg Characteristics, Hatchability and Blood Chemistry of Laying Japanese Quails

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Effects of dietary licorice extract on serum Biochemical index, tissues antioxidant capacity and immunity function of weaned piglets

“…50 mg/kg LE reduced TC and HDL-C in serum (Table 2), similar results are found that supplementation of LE through drinking water reduces the serum glucose, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (L-DLC) and total cholesterol in broilers [29]. This decreases of serum TC and HDL-C may be related to the inhibition of lipid peroxidation by licorice, the active ingredient of licorice inhibits the formation of lipid peroxides, and in the subsequent liver clearance process increases the rate of conversion of cholesterol into bile acids, thereby reducing cholesterol and increased liver bile acid content [30]. LE had no effect on the spleen index and kidney index of weaned piglets (Table 1).…”

“…The increase of serum IgG indicated enhancement of the serum immunity of weaned piglets by dietary LE. The active ingredients in licorice extract, such as glycyrrhizin avonoids and glycyrrhizic acid, increase the phagocytic function of phagocytic cells and regulate the number and function of lymphocytes [49], thus prevent some in ammatory mediators by regulating immune-related signaling pathways or enzyme activities produced to activate macrophages, indirectly inhibit platelet aggregation [30], in ammatory cytokine secretion [30,50] and neutrophil adhesion [43,51], thus regulate the in ammatory response and improve immune function of piglets.…”