Using Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) as an eco-friendly feed supplement in human and poultry nutrition

Abstract

Guduchi ( Tinospora cordifolia ) is a well-recognized and widely distributed traditional plant that is used successfully in Indian Ayurveda medicine. T. cordifolia has shown many promising biological activities, such as antioxidative, antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, osteoprotective, hepatoprotective, antidiarrheal, and antistress effects. Guduchi is a rich source of protein and micronutrients, such as iron, zinc, copper, calcium, phosphorus, and manganese. It also contains many secondary plant metabolites, such as terpenes, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, and glycosides. Based on previous studies in poultry, the supplementation levels of Guduchi range from 1 to 5 g/kg of diet (different sources, such as powder, extracts, roots, and leaves, have been used). It was suggested that this variation in supplementation levels depends on different factors, including the extraction method, the supplementation proposed, the method of supplementation (either in feed or drinking water), and the species and physiological status of the birds. Generally, dietary supplementation of poultry broilers with T. cordifolia yielded positive impacts on growth performance, body gains (increased by 4.8%), dressing percentage (increased by 7.1%), meat quality traits, and the shelf life of the meat. In addition, T. cordifolia exerted a palliative effect on the general health status of the birds through reducing live enzymes and plasma uric acids and enhancing the immune response, as indicated by the leukocyte count, hemagglutinin titer, interleukin activity, and mortality levels. Further investigations concluded that T. cordifolia showed strong antimicrobial effects against Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis , with subsequent reductions in mortality. Moreover, T. cordifolia showed an ability to improve humoral and cell-mediated immunity against Newcastle disease, infectious anemia, gout, and aflatoxicosis. The current review discusses many beneficial properties of T. cordifolia , although the lack of pharmacological trials limits the use of this extract in poultry. Further research should be performed regarding the composition of the active compound, the possible mechanisms of action, and the effective doses to fully understand the activities and benefits of T. cordifolia as a growth performance improvement supplement.

Progress on Gut Health Maintenance and Antibiotic Alternatives in Broiler Chicken Production

“…Adding oregano essential oil (300 and 600 mg per kg) in broiler chicken feed increases the ADG ( 92 ). Guduchi ( T. cordifolia ) has a positive effect on poultry growth performance, enhances the immune function in birds, and is used as a potent immunomodulator and an active antimicrobial agent in poultry ( 93 ).…”

A Review on Healing Properties of Tinospora Cordifolia (Indian Giloy)

“…The Gujjar, Muslim and tribal people of District Jammu use this herb for bone pain [17]. The double effectiveness of giloy on neem tree has also been reported in the Bengal Pharmacopoeia of 18686 when people noticed the effectiveness of this plant as a tonic for its diuretic properties [18]. It is also used in the Unani system of medicine.…”

Biosynthesis and Characterization of Extracellular Silver Nanoparticles from Streptomyces aizuneusis: Antimicrobial, Anti Larval, and Anticancer Activities

“…They added the histopathologic analysis of ascitic fluid showing a reduction in DLA cell count in tumor-bearing mice treated with AgNPs. Further, Kaler et al [ 45 ] reported that silver nanoparticles at very low concentrations showed very high activity on MCF-7 cells, showing almost 80% inhibitions. At higher concentrations (10–100 mg/mL) no significant difference in inhibition of cancer cells was observed with silver nanoparticles, and the IC50 value for the silver nanoparticles was less than 10 mg/mL.…”