No abstract

No abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the supplemental effects of purified bioflavonoids (genistein and hesperidin), as potential alternatives to plant/herbs or synthetic antioxidants, individually and in combination for fatty acid profile, lipid metabolites, and antioxidant status of broilers. Three hundred sixty 1-d-old broilers were divided into 6 treatment groups: control (basal diet), G5 (5 mg of genistein per kg of feed), and H20 (20 mg hesperidin per kg of feed), whereas the other 3 groups were supplemented with a mixture of genistein and hesperidin (20% genistein + 80% hesperidin) having a dosage of 5 mg•kg(-1) (GH5), 10 mg•kg(-1) (GH10), and 20 mg•kg(-1) (GH20), respectively. Broilers were slaughtered at 42 d, and breast muscle, liver, and blood samples were collected. A dose-dependent increase (P < 0.05) was observed for plasma antioxidant parameters, including total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde production, and total superoxide dismutase activity. Cholesterol and triglyceride contents were found to decrease (P < 0.05) in serum and breast muscle. The proportion of total polyunsaturated fatty acids and the ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids in breast muscles was significantly improved (P < 0.05) by increasing levels of dietary bioflavonoids. The current results implied that dietary bioflavonoids genistein and hesperidin could positively improve the fatty acid and lipid metabolite profile of broiler breast meat in a dose-dependent fashion. Thus, bioflavonoids could be a feasible alternative of antioxidant plants/herbs and synthetic feed additives for the production of healthier chicken meat.

WHAT ARE FLAVONOIDSP hytochemicals are the substances found naturally in all fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants that, ingested daily or rarely, may exhibit a potential for modulating the human metabolism in a way favorable for the preclusion of chronic and degenerative diseases. These days, many studies are conducted on thousands of phytochemicals that may have important physiological and biochemical effects. Among phytochemicals, several compounds, including flavonoids, polyphenols, stilbenes, carotenoids and anthocyanins, are known to be important for a number of health promoting effects. Flavonoids have aroused enormous interest in the Review ArticleAbstract | Flavonoids are phytochemicals derived from plants that known to possess several surprising health effects. They have been divided into several sub-classes, among those isoflavones (soy flavonoids) and flavanones (citrus flavonoids) have aroused great interest due to their immense availability and multidimensional properties. They exert their effects both as purified molecules and as plant extracts. Their well known properties includes anti-inflammation, antioxidation, antimicrobial, antiallergic and immunomodulation, have indicated both in animal and human models. Their modulatory role in several biological processes has also been identified like oxidation, detoxification of enzymes, apoptosis, host immune system and several others. Their potential to interfere with numerous cellular processes such as protection of genomic vitality suggest that flavonoids may used as dietary compounds for promotion of health and preclusion of several infectious and non-infectious diseases. They are known to enhance the gut morphology and functionality, mucosal and cellular immunity, immune organs size and amelioration of heat stress in farm animals; that suggested them health promoting phytochemicals for animal production.

The present review gives the insight towards major components of pomegranate as well as their pharmacological activities against pathological disorders. In spite of many beneficial properties of Punica granatum L., more research evidence on a molecular basis is needed to find out the molecular mechanism of action in various animals and human models to validate the usefulness of Punica granatum L. as a potent therapeutic agent.