Effects of Ilicis Chinensis folium extract supplementation on growth performance, serum parameters, intestinal morphology, and antioxidant capacity of broiler chickens

Abstract

Background Ilicis chinensis folium extract (ICFE) is a powder extracted and processed with Ilex chinensis Sims (ICS) which has numerous bioactivities and is conventionally used in traditional Chinese medicine. Nonetheless, there has been no definitive study evaluating ICFE’s application as a feed supplement for broilers. This research sought to determine the chemical composition and evaluate how dietary ICFE supplementation affects the growth performance, serum metrics, intestinal structure, and antioxidant capacity of broilers. Methods A total of 360 one-day-old broiler chicks were assigned to four treatments (with 9 replicates of 10 chicks, each) of dietary supplementation with ICFE at 0, 250, 500, and 1,000 mg /kg for 42 days. Results Ten polyphenolic compounds and two triterpenoid glycosides were detected by HPLC. In the grower stage and overall, broilers supplemented with 500 and 1,000 mg/kg ICFE exhibited a higher ADFI (P < 0.05) than the controls. Additionally, compared to the controls, broilers receiving low, medium, or high dosages of ICFE exhibited higher average daily gains (P < 0.05) throughout the starter stage and overall. Organ indices showed no significant variation, suggesting that ICFE was non-toxic. ICFE supplementation increased the height of villi in the duodenum and jejunum, reduced crypt depth, and increased the villus/crypt ratio in the duodenum (P < 0.05). Serum concentrations of IL-4 and IgA were increased in ICFE-supplemented broilers. The serum malondialdehyde concentration was reduced, whereas superoxide dismutase activity and total antioxidant capacity increased through supplementation with ICFE. Conclusion ICFE supplementation can improve intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity, and growth performance of broilers. Hence, ICFE is a promising and safe alternative to antibiotics in broilers, and 500 mg/kg appears to be the optimal dose.

Effects of Dietary Callicarpa nudiflora Aqueous Extract Supplementation on Growth Performance, Growth Hormone, Antioxidant and Immune Function, and Intestinal Health of Broilers

“…In this research, broilers fed diets supplemented with CNE at 300 and 500 mg/kg increased the VH/CD ratio and villus height in the jejunum. Zhong et al [59] discovered that phenolic compounds were linked to the capacity of 500 mg/kg Ilicis chinensis folium extract (ICFE) to alter intestinal morphology, which enhanced their capacity to take in nutrients from a regular diet. Tight junction proteins serve as the gut's physical barrier, regulating its permeability, which is crucial for protecting the gastrointestinal tract [60].…”

Potential for the development of Taraxacum mongolicum aqueous extract as a phytogenic feed additive for poultry

“…Although the use of APGs has significant beneficial effects on growth performance and disease prevention in farmed animals, their use is partially restricted and prohibited worldwide due to the increasing problem of bacterial resistance. Studies have reported the beneficial effects of plant polyphenols, flavonoids and polysaccharides on livestock and poultry breeding have been studied and reported (46)(47)(48). The results showed that TMAE supplementation could increase the daily gain, improve the serum chemical index, enhance the antioxidant capacity of serum, liver and ileum, enhance the immune function of liver and intestine, and then improve the growth performance of broilers.…”