The Influence of Ethanolic Extract of Hypericum Perforatum (St. John's wort) on Growth Performance, Serum Metabolites, Fat Deposition, Immunity, and Lipid Peroxidation in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Background: Having bioactive components such as hypericin, hyperforin and quercetin has enabled Hypericum perforatum (HP) to show antioxidant, antiviral and hypocholesterolemic effects in different animal species.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of Hypericum perforatum extract (HPE) additions on performance, immune response, serum metabolites, and lipid peroxidation in broiler chickens.

Methods: A total of 250 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly allocated to five treatments with five replicates and ten chicks each. Experimental rations consisted of a basal diet with no supplement (control group) and a basal diet with 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% HPE.

Results: Results showed that the addition 1.5% HPE in the broiler diet increased high-density lipoproteins (HDL) compared to the control diet. While the total cholesterol (TC) was significantly reduced by HPE supplementation, only feeding 1% and 1.5% HPE significantly lowered the low-density lipoproteins (LDL). HPE addition to the diet significantly reduced abdominal and breast fat at 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% levels. However, thigh fat was significantly decreased by dietary all HPE levels supplementation. Moreover, in the group fed with 1.5% HPE, the immunoglobulin G (IgG) and thymus weight significantly increased compared to the control group. Compared with the control group, HPE-fed groups showed significantly lower malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in breast muscle. The total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was improved significantly by HPE supplementation.

Conclusions: In general, while there was no significant difference among treatments in the case of growth performance parameters, dietary supplementation of HPE at 1.5% was the most effective dose to improve serum biochemical metabolites, fat metabolism, immune response, and oxidative stability in broiler chicks.

Keywords: Hypericum perforatum; broilers; fat metabolism; immunity; malondialdehyde.