Potential Effects of Anthocyanin-Rich Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Extract on the Growth, Intestinal Histomorphology, Blood Biochemical Parameters, and the Immune Status of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The potential effects of anthocyanin-rich roselle, Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract (ARRE) on the growth, carcass traits, intestinal histomorphology, breast muscle composition, blood biochemical parameters, antioxidant activity, and immune status of broiler chickens were evaluated. In the present study, Hibiscus acidified ethanolic extract was reported to have a total anthocyanin content of about 359.3 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside/100 g DW, total polyphenol concentration (TPC) of about 598 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g DW, and total flavonoids (TFs) of about 100 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/100 g DW. Two-hundred-fifty one-day-old chicks (Ross 308 broiler) (87.85 gm ± 0.32) were randomly allotted to five experimental groups and fed on basal diets supplemented with five levels of ARRE: 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg Kg−1 for 35 days. Dietary ARRE addition did not improve the birds’ growth and carcass traits. Supplemental ARRE increased the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (ω-3) percentage in the breast muscle. Dietary ARRE increased the villous height, and the ARRE100 group raised the villus height to crypt depth ratio. Dietary ARRE increased the immunoexpression of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the spleen. The serum thyroxine hormone (T4) level was higher in the ARRE200 group. The serum growth hormone level was increased by ARRE addition in a level-dependent manner. According to the broken-line regression analysis, the optimum inclusion level of ARRE was 280 mg Kg−1. All levels of supplemental ARRE decreased the serum triglyceride level. The serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was increased in the ARRE100-ARRE400 groups, the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) level was increased in the ARRE200 group, and the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level was decreased by increasing the ARRE level. Supplemental ARRE significantly increased the serum levels of lysozymes and IL10. The serum complement 3 (C3) level was increased in ARRE200 and ARRE400 groups. It can be concluded that dietary ARRE addition had many beneficial effects represented by the improvements in the bird’s metabolic functions, blood biochemistry, intestinal morphology, antioxidant activity, immune status, and higher ω-3 content in the breast muscles. However, it had no improving effect on the birds’ growth.

The Ameliorative Role of Hibiscetin against High-Fat Diets and Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Rodents via Inhibiting Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Interleukin-1β, and Malondialdehyde Level

“…Roselle has an excellent record of safety and tolerability [37]. The considerable rise in blood hepatic enzyme activity (particularly AST and ALP) seen in the diabetic animals in this research might be attributable to the hypertoxic impact of the high-fat meal coupled with STZ administration.…”

The Effects of Purple Corn Pigment on Growth Performance, Blood Biochemical Indices, Meat Quality, Muscle Amino Acids, and Fatty Acids of Growing Chickens

“…Consistent with our observations, Frasao et al [68] demonstrated that dietary supplementation with anthocyanin-rich plant extract could improve muscle PUFA concentrations and could stabilize muscle oxidation in broiler meat. Similarly, Amer et al [13] found that dietary addition of 280 mg/kg anthocyanin-rich roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) extract had the ability to enhance n-3 PUFA levels in the breast muscle of broiler chickens.…”

“…Moreover, purple corn had a higher total anthocyanin content and stronger 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) scavenging activity and antioxidant activity in vitro [12]. Amer et al [13] found that the inclusion of anthocyanin-rich roselle, Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract, could improve chicken antioxidant potential by increasing serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrations and by decreasing serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Additionally, Hajrawati et al [14] demonstrated that anthocyanin-rich purple sweet potato flour could increase the cooking loss, anthocyanin content, redness, and scavenging activity of chicken meatballs.…”

Dietary Supplementation of Fructooligosaccharides Enhanced Antioxidant Activity and Cellular Immune Response in Broiler Chickens

“…An increase in lymphocyte percentages due to addition of prebiotics, probiotics or synbiotics is indicative of an immuno-stimulatory effect. Probiotics and prebiotics can trigger a protective immune response and thus improve resistance to microbial pathogens in broiler chickens ( 4 , 27 , 56 ).…”