Screening of the Herbs and Evaluation of their Combined Effects on the Health and Immunity of Coccidiosis Challenged Broiler Chickens

The present study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of herbs on the immunity related-genes and health of broiler chickens challenged with coccidiosis. Total (one-day-old, 450) broiler chickens were allotted into 9 groups (n = 50/group). Group A controlled without supplementation, Group B, C, D, E, F, and G were supplemented with Aloe barbadensis (5ml/L), Tinaspora Cordifolia (20g/L), Bambusaarundinacea (5g/L), Emblica officinalis (10g/L), Ferulafoetida regal (500mg/L), Tamarindusindica (50mg/L) respectively. Group H and I were supplemented with a mixture of all 6 herbs/plants at 2ml/L; mixed with distilled water and another with citric acid. Anticoccidial effect of different herbs on comparative average values of bloody diarrhea score, lesion score, oocysts score, and survival percentage were recorded. The survival rate of coccidiosis challenged broiler chickens were observed significantly (P<0.05) high in group B, H, and I. Higher level of intestinal histomorphology, blood hematology, E. coli, and Lactobacillus observed (P<0.05) in group H and I. Antibody titer results (ND and H7) suggested that the titer was high for group B and I. Hormone profiling results of T3, T4 and AST was observed higher in group H. mRNA expression of toll-like receptors 1,2, 3, 4, 5 (TLR1, TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5) genes were validated on RT-PCR, which were significantly different (P<0.05) upregulated in group H and I. In conclusion, supplementation of herbs mixture (Group H and I) at the dose 2ml/L to the coccidiosis challenged broiler chickens overall improved the health and immunity by regulating the mRNA expression of immunity-related toll-like receptors. (C) 2020 PVJ. All rights reserved

Automated summary

The study evaluated the effectiveness of herbs on the health and immunity of broiler chickens challenged with coccidiosis. It was found that a mixture of herbs significantly improved survival rates, intestinal histomorphology, blood parameters, and bacteria levels in the challenged chickens. Additionally, the mRNA expression of immunity-related toll-like receptors was regulated by the herb mixture, leading to better immunity.