Enhancement of Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, Plasma Biomarkers, and Hepatic Metabolomics in Broiler Chickens through Medicinal Plants-Seaweed Blend Supplementation in Drinking Water

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of supplementing drinking water with a medicinal plants-seaweed blend (BLEND) on growth performance, intestinal morphology, blood biomarkers, and hepatic metabolism in broiler chickens. A total of 120 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group (CON) receiving standard drinking water and a treatment group (BLEND) receiving water supplemented with a mixture of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Scutellaria, Forsythia, Adhatoda vasika, Azadirachta indica, Curcuma longa, and seaweed extracts at 1 mL/L for 28 days. Compared to CON, BLEND significantly improved body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) during days 15-28 (p < 0.05). BLEND birds exhibited enhanced intestinal morphology, with increased villus height, crypt depth, and muscular layer thickness (p < 0.01). Blood analysis revealed higher levels of total protein, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and glucose, along with reduced concentrations of urea and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), indicating improved liver and kidney function. Plasma mineral analysis showed increased calcium and strontium and reduced arsenic and lead in BLEND birds (p < 0.01). Untargeted hepatic metabolomics revealed upregulation of metabolites related to energy and amino acid metabolism (e.g., L-proline, malic acid, L-carnitine) and downregulation of oxidative stress markers (e.g., sulfate, mevalonic acid). These results suggest that BLEND supplementation enhances growth, metabolic function, and systemic health in broilers, supporting its potential as a natural, sustainable alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry production.