doi:10.5455/vetworld.2013.172-179 Use of certain herbal preparations in broiler feeds- A review

The importance and use of herbal remedies (turmeric, tulsi, amla and aloe vera etc.) has been reviewed systematically. Turmeric (curcumin), acts as an antioxidant, antimutagenic, antiinflamatory and antimicrobial agent and protect liver against a variety of toxicants. Tulsi (eugenol) have anticancer properties, reduced blood glucose levels, total cholesterol levels and promotes immune system function. Amla, richest source of vitamin-c and it's active tannoid principles have antimicrobial, antidiabetics, anticarcinogenic properties and enhances immune property. Aloe vera contains phytochemicals (Saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids and phenols), which is an indication of cosmetic and medicinal value. Turmeric, tulsi, amla and aloe vera preparations increased the body weight gain, feed efficiency and decreased the feed intake. These preparations decreased the mortality rates and the cost of feed has been decreased from 6.2% to 13.5%. They have reduced the fat accumulation, increased dressing percentage, liver weight, spleen weight and whole giblet weights. Significant reduction of serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides and increased the humoral response against RD vaccine.

Aloe spp was the most commonly used herb in The existing conventional disease control rural poultry management [3] as it was used in programs favor the high investment intensive systems management of a variety of diseases and Aloe acted as of production with birds in confinement and not smallbroad spectrum remedy [4] in rural poultry health scale farmers with less than 100 birds.Since ancient management.Aloevera used for human health for times, plants and plant parts have an indispensable variety of symptoms.Eventhough there is little or no source of medicine for indigenous poultry production scientific evidence justifying anecdotal claims [5].systems.Although modern medical science has developed to a great extent, many farmers depend on Turmeric (Curcuma longa) plant parts and herbal remedies for indigenous poultry Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a rhizomatous health management.Unfortunately, local medical herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, traditions are being lost because they are communi-Zingiberaceae [6] with medicinal properties known to cated orally from generation to generation and are possess antimicrobial and anti-oxidant properties.It is largely undocumented.Very little has been done to native to tropical South Asia and needs temperatures verify and validate information gathered.Even today between 20 °C and 30 °C and a considerable amount of the WHO estimates that upto 80% of people still rely on annual rainfall to thrive [7].Rhizome is the portion of traditional remedies such as herbs for their medicine medicinal importance and is usually boiled, cleaned, [1].
dried and powdered before usage [8].In medieval Specific concoctions were prepared for specific Europe, turmeric became known as Indian saffron, diseases.For example Aloe Vera was said to prevent since it was widely used as an alternative to the far Newcastle, Croton megalocarpus to treat coryza sinusitis, more expensive saffron spice.Turmeric is commonly and combretum mole to treat intestinal worms.Pepper called "Pasupu" in Telugu, Kaha in Sinhala, Manjal in (capsicum), Khasanda kwata, imbululusi concoctions Tamil, "Arisina" in Kannada, "Haridra" in Sanskrit and were used respiratory diseases, Sisal (Likonge Tulsi is a well known therapeutic agent for several pathological conditions possess antistress [39] and Uses: The continuing research indicates that turmeric antioxidant [40] properties.An important sacred and its active compound "Curcumin" are unique antimedicinal herb from India has been known to possess oxidants, antimutagenic, antitumorigenic, anticarcinoremarkable biological activities like antimicrobial, genic, anti-inflammatory, antiarthritis, antimicrobial immunomodulatory, anti cancerous, anti oxidant, anti and hypocholesterolemic properties [12,13].Therapeutic inflammatory, hepatoprotective [40] and cardioproproperties of turmeric includes anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, tective etc. [41].Prakash and Gupta [27] reported that antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antiviral and other therapeutic potential actions of tulsi includes hypocholesteremic activities [14,15].
antifungal [42], antispasmodic, antiemetic, analgesic, Turmeric is currently being investigated for hypolipidemic and antiviral also.Furthermore, tulsi possible benefits in Alzheimer's disease [16] Tulsi is mostly used in skin preparations due to its hepatic disorders, rheumatism and sinusitis [23].
antibacterial activity.The dried leaves have been Kirtikar and Basu [24] reported that Rhizome is also mixed with stored grains to repel insects [45].used as carminative, diuretic, hepatoprotective and in Tulsi is a sacred plant for Hindus and is worshipped treatment of urinary tract and skin diseases like scabies, by Hindus as the avatar of goddess Lakshmi and plants leech bites and bruises.
are grown infront of or near their home.Water mixed Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) with the petals is given to the dying to raise their departing souls to heaven [46].The ritual lighting of Ocimum tenuiflorum, Holy Basil (also Tulsi, lamps each evening during Kartika includes the worship tulasī), is an aromatic plant in the family Lamiaceae, of the tulsi plant, which is held to be auspicious for the which is native throughout the Old World tropics and home.Vaishnavas traditionally use japa malas made widespread as a cultivated plant and an escaped weed from tulsi stems or roots, which are an important [25].The two main morphotypes cultivated in India symbol of initiation.Tulsi malas are considered to be and Nepal are green-leaved (Sri or Lakshmi Tulsi ) and auspicious for the wearer, and believed to put them purple-leaved (Krishna Tulsi ) [26].
88.03mg/100g [47].Amla is one of the richest sources Uses: It is an effective treatment for reducing blood of Vit-C and contains 700mg [48].In addition to this glucose levels [31] and total cholesterol levels [32].
several active tannoid principles (Emblicanin A, Tulsi also shows some promise for protection from Emblicanin B, Punigluconin and pedunculagin) have radiation poisoning [33] and cataracts [34].The fixed been identified for their health benefits [49].oil has demonstrated antihyperlipidemic and cardio-Uses: Medical studies conducted on Amla fruit suggest protective effects in rats fed a high fat diet [35].
that it has anti-viral properties [50] and also functions Experimental studies have shown an alcoholic extract as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent [51].Amla miller.It belongs to Asphodelaceae (Liliaceae) family, has been particularly indicated for anemia, asthma, and is shrubby, or absorescent, perennial, xerophytic, bleeding gums, diabetes, chronic lung disease, hyperli-succulent, pea-green color plant.It has long triangular, pidaemia, yeast infections, scurvy and cancer [52,53].
fleshy leaves that have spikes along the edges.The Amla has been known in Ayurvedic medicine for its fresh parenchymal gel from the centre of the leaf is tonifying, anti-ageing and immune enhancing properties clear, this part is sometimes dried to form aloevera [54].Animals fed on amla powder showed better concentrate or diluted with water to treate aloe juice ability for uptake and killing of bacteria, which might products.The sticky latex liquid is derived from the be due to the presence of tannins which stimulates yellowish green pericyclic tubules that line the leaf phagocytic cells [55].
(rind): this is the part that yields laxative anthraqui-Indian gooseberry has undergone preliminary nones [69].(0.232g/100g) p henols, which is an indicative of Experimental preparations of leaves, bark or fruit have cosmetic and medicinal value of Aloe barbadensis.It is shown potential efficacy against laboratory models of also rich in minerals like Na, K, P, and Mg [71].disease, such as for inflammation [60,61], cancer, agerelated renal disease, and diabetes [62].
Uses: Aloe vera may be effective in treatment of A human pilot study demonstrated a reduction of wounds [72] and it also promotes the rate of wound blood cholesterol levels in both normal and hyperchohealing [73].Topical application of aloe vera may also lesterolemic men with treatment [63].Another recent be effective for genital herpes and psoriasis [72].Aloe study with alloxan-induced diabetic rats given an vera extracts may be useful in the treatment of diabetes aqueous amla fruit extract has shown significant decrease and elevated blood lipids in humans [4] which is due to of the blood glucose, as well as triglyceridemic levels the presence of compounds such as mannans, anthraand an improvement of the liver function caused by a quinones and lectins.normalization of the liver-specific enzyme alanine Aloe extracts are useful in treatment of hyperglytransaminase activity [64].
extracts have been used as immunostimulant that aids According to Ayurveda, aamla fruit is sour (amla) in fighting cancers in cats and dogs [78].Extracts of and astringent (kashaya) in taste (rasa), with sweet aloe vera might have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal (madhura), bitter (tikta) and pungent (katu) secondary activities which possibly could help to treat minor skin tastes (anurasas) [66] and all parts are used in infections such as boils, benign skin cysts and may ayurveda/unani medicines.Balances both Pitta and inhibit growth of fungi causing tinea [79].Juice from vata by virtue of its sweet taste.It may be used as a the pulp is useful for treating jaundice, menustrual rasayana (rejuvenative) to promote longevity, and disorders, scalp disorders, skin diseases, burns and traditionally to enhance digestion (dipanapachana), haemorrhoids [80].Moghadassi and Verma, [81] has treat constipation (anuloma), reduce fever (jvaraghna), reviewed that it is useful for skin damaged from Xpurify the blood (raktaprasadana), reduce cough rays.On other hand concentration of glucose in gelatin (kasahara), alleviate asthma (svasahara), strengthen results in high osmotic pressure that protects skin from the heart (hrdaya), benefit the eyes (chakshushya), stimulate hair growth (romasanjana), enliven the body live bacteria.Aloe vera includes antrokinone chemicals (jivaniya), and enhance intellect (medhya) [66,67].
that are known for anti-virus, anti-bacterial and anti-Indian gooseberry is a common constituent, and most cancer properties.notably is the primary ingredient in an ancient herbal Effect of herbal preparation on body weight gain rasayana called Chyawanprash [68].Emblica officinalis tea may ameliorate diabetic neuropathy.
Better growth rates in broilers by inclusion of powdered rhizome of Curcuma longa @ 1g/kg diet [ Turmeric either alone or in combination @ 0.25% and weights of broilers were observed @ 6.2 and 15.1 per 0.5% levels resulted in better feed efficiency [95].cent respectively by addition of turmeric at 2 and 3 g/kg

Effect of herbal preparation on mortality pattern feed in broilers [85] and 0.5% has resulted 6% extra
No mortality upto 35 days of age in broilers was weight gain [10].Weight gains also observed in observed when turmeric was supplemented at 0.5 per broilers affected with aflatoxin [86] and E.acervulina cent level in broiler diet [83] and less mortality was [87].Namagirilakshmi [88] observed insignificant observed @ 0.1% inclusion [82].Supplementation of body weight gain in broilers with diet supplementation amla and turmeric powder @ 5g/kg of feed in broiler of turmeric powder, whereas El-Hakim et.al., [89] diet resulted no mortality in broilers [100] and less observed no effect in body weight gain.
mortality by inclusion of amla, Tulsi and turmeric @ Significant increase in body weights of broilers 0.25 and 0.5% [95].Less mortality was observed in were observed with supplementation of Ocimum broiler fed with herbal growth promoter containing sanctum leaves [90,91], whereas, Varaprasad Reddy et amla as one of the ingredients [101].Hundred per cent al. [92] observed insignificant body weight gain in livability was observed with inclusion of Aloe vera and broilers by inclusion of Tulsi.Gupta and Charan [93] Curcuma longa and their combination in broiler diets included tulsi powder ranging from 0-600mg/kg diet [94].and reported maximum weight gain in broilers was observed with 200 mg/kg of diet.A combination of aloe Economics of herbal preparations supplemenvera and curcuma longa [94] resulted no significant tation difference in body weights of broilers, whereas a Inclusion of turmeric powder @ 0.5% in ration of combination of amla, Tulsi and turmeric in broiler broilers has substantially decreased the feed cost per diets has resulted significant higher body weight gains unit live body weight gains i.e. 13.5% [82], 11.8% in broilers [95].
Durrani et al [83] and 6.2% Namagirilakshmi [88] Effect of herbal preparation on feed intake compared to control rations.A combination of Aloe vera and Curcuma longa inclusion in broiler diets has Increased feed consumption in broilers was resulted significant difference in the feed cost per unit observed by supplementation of diet with powdered live body weight in the broiler weights up to six weeks rhizome of Curcuma longa @ 1g/kg [96], and @ 0.75of age [94].Tirupathi Reddy et al. [95] reported a 1g/kg [84] whereas 5% reduction in feed intake was reduction of 4% feed cost per unit live weight gain in observed by Al-sultan [10] and Gowda et.al., [13].
broilers with feed supplemented with combination of Significantly lower feed intake was observed by amla, tulsi and turmeric @ 0.25%.Durrani et.al., [83] with turmeric supplementation in broiler diet, whereas El-Hakim [89] observed no effect Effect of herbal preparation on carcass traits on feed intake.Apparently reduction of feed intake in A reduction of fat percentage at 1% [10] and 1.2% broilers was observed with supplementation of Tulsi [85] over body weights were reported by inclusion of leaf powder [91].A combination of Aloe vera and turmeric powder in broiler ration.Significant decrease Curcuma longa in broilers diet has resulted insignificant in abdominal fat (57%) was observed by Emadi & difference in feed intake [94].A combination of Amla, Kermanshahi [102] by inclusion of turmeric rhizome Tulsi and Turmeric (0.25%, 0.5%) in broilers diet has powder (0.75%) in broiler rations.Higher dressing significantly increased feed intake in broilers [95].percent i.e. 57% [83,103] was observed when broilers fed with feed supplemented with turmeric powder.

Effect of herbal preparation on feed efficiency
Inclusion of turmeric powder also increased the liver (@5g/Kg feed) in broiler diet has improved the Turmeric powder inclusion (0.75%-1%) has improved dressing percentage [100], whereas a combination of FCR in broilers [15,84].Supplementation of turmeric aloevera and curcuma longa at various levels has not powder at the rate of 0.5 per cent level resulted in better shown significant difference in abdominal fat, breast feed efficnecy of 1.2 and 2.0 in starter and finisher muscle weights [104].A combination of amla, tulsi , phase respectively [83], 1.6 [88] and 2.08 [10].Low and turmeric (@ 0.5%) has no significant effect on level of turmeric (0.1%) also had better feed efficiency giblet weights and ready to cook yield percentage [95].in broilers [96].FCR was not effected significantly by

Effect of herbal preparation on serum biochemical
inclusion of turmeric extract in broilers [89; 98] and in constituents Rabbits [99].Significant feed conversion ratio was observed by inclusion of Aloe vera and Curcuma longa Supplementation of broiler diets with tulsi leaf in broilers [94].Broilers fed with Amla, Tulsi and powder had insignificant on cholesterol concentration 3.
adverse effects of aflatoxin in broiler chicks.Poultry