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

Ochratoxicosis causes serious impact on animal productivity. To counteract the ochratoxicosis, Phyllanthus niruri, a herbal liver protectant, was included in starter ration in broilers. Analysis of the various poultry feed samples during the winter months in Namakkal revealed that 11.7% (total of 392) feed samples were contaminated with ochratoxin and mean and maximum level of toxin were 70 ppb and 1.02 ppm respectively. The data obtained from this study was used to simulate the field level of ochratoxicosis in the experiment. Three experimental diets containing no supplement (control), ochratoxin - maximum level in particular season (1 ppm) and ochratoxin (1 ppm) plus Phyllanthus niruri (1%) were prepared based on the initial study, and fed to a total of 72 broiler chicks from day-old to 28 d of age. Performance traits, slaughter yields and haematological parameters were assessed in the chicks after the short term exposure (28 d). During the last two days of the experiment, a metabolic trail was also conducted. Dietary ochratoxin contamination for shorter exposure exhibited depression in body weight, feed intake, serum total proteins and nitrogen balance without affecting the body weight. Ochratoxin increased the serum uric acid, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and faecal moisture content whereas alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was unaffected. The relative weight of liver, heart, spleen and bursa were unchanged whereas dressing percentage was severely affected by ochratoxin. Dietary supplementation of Phyllanthus niruri significantly reversed the production parameters, hematological parameters 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 ochratoxin.