Ameliorative Effect of Adhatoda Vasica Against Aflatoxicosis in Broiler Chicken

Abstract Background : The effect of aflatoxin in broilers is well known. However dietary supplementation of crude leaf powder of Adhatoda vasica was found to decrease the negative effect of aflatoxin B1 because of bio-adsorbing feature of the active ingredient and the detoxifying nature of the herbal material. The main goal of this study was to ascertain how Adhatoda vasica crude leaf powder along with aflatoxin contaminated diet ameliorated the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 on zootechnic performance indicators, bone morphometric characters, serum biochemistry, antioxidant profile, organ weights, gross pathology and histopathology of liver and kidney. Broiler chicks of one day old were divided into six groups. The G1 group was given a formulated basal diet without any supplements. The G2 group was fed with balanced diet with Adhatoda vasica crude leaf powder at 0.5 % inclusion. The G3 group was fed with balanced diet with aflatoxin B1 (50 µg/kg). The G4 group was fed with balanced diet with aflatoxin B1 (50 µg/kg) and Silymarin @1000mg/kg feed. The G5 was fed with balanced diet with aflatoxin B1 (50 µg/kg) and Adhatoda vasica crude leaf powder at 0.1 % and G6 was fed with balanced diet with aflatoxin B1 (50 µg/kg) and Adhatoda vasica crude leaf powder at 0.5 % inclusion from day 1 to day 35 of age. Results: According to the results of the study, Aflatoxin supplementation in the feed had a detrimental impact on zootechnical performance, bone morphometric characters, serum biochemical parameters, gross and histopathology. Aflatoxin supplementation led to liver injury that was indicted by serum biochemistry and histopathology in the liver and kidney tissues. Supplementation of the crude leaf powder of Adhatoda vasica exhibited significant detoxifying effect as evidenced by improved growth performance and bone morphometric characters and ameliorating changes in the levels of serum biochemical parameters and the antioxidant enzymes. The effect of the herb in reducing the pathological lesions were also similar to the standard drug. Conclusion: Crude leaf powder of the plant Adhatoda vasica could be used as a suitable herbal alternative to mitigate aflatoxicosis in broiler chicken.