Effect of Salix alba leave extract on growth performance, antioxidant level and immune status of broiler chickens reared at high altitude cold desert

Abstract

Extremes of climate and hypobaric hypoxia cause poor growth performance in broiler chickens at high altitude and the present study investigates the effect of aqueous extract of Salix alba leaves on growth performance, antioxidant level and immune status of broiler chickens reared at high altitude cold desert (3500 m). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the extract revealed the presence of salicin and caffeic acid. In vitro efficacy evaluation revealed that the extract had a significant cytoprotective effect on lymphocytes. For in-vivo study, a total of 105 one d old RIR cross-bred broiler chickens were randomly assigned to seven groups: 1) Control fed basal diet and 2) Six treatments fed basal diet + S. alba extract @100, 150, 200, 300, 400, and 800 mg kg −1 body weight of chicken, respectively. Chickens in the Salix 300 group had greater body weight (p < 0.05) and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to other treatments. Furthermore, chickens had greater (p < 0.05) total antioxidant capacity (TAC), free radical scavenging activity, interleukin-2, and lower malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-1, and interleukin-6 concentration as compared to the control group. Net profit was also increased in all the treatments that were fed diet with S. alba extract due to less mortality in chickens. These findings indicated that inclusion S. alba extract at dose concentration of 300 mg kg −1 body weight of chicken, exhibited a beneficial effect on growth performance through immunomodulation and up-regulation of antioxidants, and therefore, it has a potential to be used as a phytogenic feed additive for improving broiler performance at high altitude.

Impacts of willow (Salix babylonica L.) leaf extract on growth, cecal microbial population, and blood biochemical parameters of broilers

“…An efficient strategy to deal with issues related to oxidative stress is through dietary supplementation of herbal medicines high in antioxidants that could neutralize free radicals ( Saggu et al, 2007 ; Ciampi et al, 2020 ). Our observations concur with Kalia et al (2021) , who that adding S. alba leaf extract to chicken at 300 mg/kg body weight of chicken enhanced growth performance across immune system modulation, total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant upregulation, and declined the levels of malondialdehyde. Also, Saracila et al (2023) noticed that S. alba bark extract supplementation increased TAC activity and GSH concentration in the liver of broilers while lowering Liver malondialdehyde.…”

“…Additionally, an increase in BWG and FBW occurred in broiler chicks that received willow ( S. tetrasperma ) leaf extract in drinking water under heat stress at 5 wk of age ( Zulfan et al, 2022 ). Also, according to Kalia et al (2021) , the synergistic action of salicin, caffeic acid, and polyphenols boosted feed utilization, feed conversion rate and chicken growth in broiler chicks fed a diet enhanced with willow leaf extract 300 mg/kg BW in the cold desert.…”

“…This might occur because the polyphenolic chemicals in the willow leaf extract work together synergistically. Moreover, salicin is a potent antioxidant in willow leaf extract which has anti-inflammatory activity in animals and that could be responsible for positive findings ( Kalia et al, 2021 ). Notably, there is a strong correlation between the chemical structure, dose, and bioavailability of phenolic compounds in increasing antioxidant enzyme activity ( Surai, 2016 ).…”

“…According to recent studies, 100 mg of Salix tetrasperma leaf extract per liter of water consumption drastically decreased the amount of Escherichia coli in the intestines ( Kalia et al, 2021 ), and 300 mg of Salix gave the highest value of carcass weight ( Sugito et al, 2020 ). In broiler chickens, willow leaf extract per kg body weight increased body weight gain considerably and enhanced the feed conversion ratio ( Kalia et al, 2021 ). Additionally, willow ( Salix babylonica ) extract is utilized as an additive to feed in the meal of ruminants and aids in improving the welfare of animals, feed intake, and milk production ( Rivero et al, 2012 ).…”