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.

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.