Protective effectiveness of Phyllanthus niruri against short-term experimental aflatoxicosis in broiler chicken

Phyllanthus niruri, a herbal liver protectant, was included in starter ration to study its protective effectiveness against aflatoxicosis in broilers. Prior to the study, a survey was done to find the levels of aflatoxin in various poultry feeds during winter (October to December), so that the data obtained could be used to simulate the field level of aflatoxicosis in Namakkal, a poultry belt of Tamil Nadu, India. Based on this initial study, three experimental diets containing no supplement (control), aflatoxin B₁- maximum level in particular season (100 ppb), aflatoxin B₁ (100 ppb) plus Phyllanthus niruri (1%) were prepared and fed to a total of 72 broiler chicks from day-old to 28 d of age (for short term exposure). Responses in the chicks were assessed in terms of performance traits, slaughter yields and hematological parameters. A metabolic trail was also conducted during the last two days of the experiment. Dietary aflatoxin contamination for shorter exposure (28 d) showed depression in body weight, feed intake, dressing percentage, PCV, hemoglobin level, serum cholesterol, serum total proteins and nitrogen balance. Aflatoxin increased the serum uric acid, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and faecal moisture content. An increase in weight of liver, gall bladder, spleen and bursa were observed. Dietary supplementation of Phyllanthus niruri significantly reversed the production parameters, hematological parameters, serum enzymes up to the level of control. The results suggested that the supplementation of Phyllanthus niruri in feed might be effective for correcting the damage caused by aflatoxin.