THE EFFECT OF ADHATODA VASICA AS A HERBAL SUPPLEMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY, AND BLOOD PROFILE OF WEANED PIGS
Keywords:
Adhatoda vasica, Phytochemicals, Pigs, Blood, Nutrient, HerbsAbstract
A 60-day trial was conducted to gain insight into how Adhatoda vasica as a herbal supplement affected the performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood profile of weaned pigs. 40 crossbred male pigs (Yorkshire × Landrace) with an initial body weight of 10.21 ± 0.03 kg were grouped into four treatment groups of ten pigs each. Upon arrival, the animals were quarantined for two weeks and fed a basal diet that is balanced in all nutrients, according to NRC (2012). Pigs in treatment 1 were fed a basal diet without Adhatoda vasica leaf powder, whereas those in treatments 2, 3, and 4 were provided the same food supplemented with Adhatoda vasica leaf powder at doses of 200 g, 400 g, and 600 g/kg. A completely randomised design approach was used, and the animals had unlimited access to clean, fresh water and food. The concentration of phyto-constituents in Adhatoda vasica leaf powder was found to be greater in flavonoids (102.1 mg/g) and lowest in steroids (30.41 mg/g). The average daily weight gain was higher for pigs fed treatments 3 and 4, intermediate for treatment 2, and lowest for treatment 1. The method of treatment significantly altered average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and mortality (P<0.05). The treatment had a significant effect (P<0.05) on digestibility of dry matter, ether extract, crude protein, and crude fibre. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in red blood cell, pack cell volume, mean platelet volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, white blood cell, and total protein levels among treatments, with the exception of aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, and alkaline phosphatase (P>0.05). However, all levels fell within the recommended range for healthy pigs. Finally, Adhatoda vasica leaf powder can be added to pigs' diets without affecting their growth or health.References
[1] Albert, N. Strategies for diarrhea control in poultry with natural phytobiotics. International Poultry Production, 2022, 5(1): 2-4.
[2] Cross D E, McDevitt R M., Hillman K., et al. The effect of herbs and their associated essential oils on performance, dietary digestibility and gut microflora in chickens from 7 to 28 days of age. British Poultry Science, 2007, 48: 496-506.
[3] Wojcikowski, K, Johnson, D W, Gobé, G. Medicinal herbal extracts -- renal friend or foe? Part one: the toxicities of medicinal herbs. Nephrology, 2004, 9(5): 313-8. DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1797.2004.00310.x. PMID: 15504145.
[4] Singh Sharma, Alagbe Olujimi John, Liu Xing, et al. Comparative analysis of ethanolic Juniperus thurifera leaf, stem bark and root extract using gas chromatography and mass spectroemetry. International Journal of Agriculture and Animal Production, 2022, 2(6): 18-27.
[5] Alagbe, J O. Use of medicinal plants as a panacea to poultry production and food security: A review. Gospodarka I Innowacje, 2022, 22: 1-12.
[6] Rahman, S M M, Sen, P K, Afroz, F, et al. 2004. In vitro propagation of Adhatoda vasica from shoot tip. Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Journal, 2004, 2(1&2): 33-35.
[7] Gupta, O P, Sharma, M L, Ghattak, B J R, et al. Pharmacological investigation of vasicine and vasinone- The alkaloids of Adhatoda vasica. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 1997, 66: 680-691.
[8] Patel, V K, Venkata-Krishna- Bhatt, H. In vitro study of anti- microbial activity of Adhatoda vasica (L) (Leaf extract) on gingival inflammation- A preliminary report. Indian Journal of Medical Science, 1984, 38: 70-72.
[9] Chakrabarty, A, Brantner, A H. Study of alkaloids from Adhatoda vasica Nees on their anti-inflammatory activity. Phytother. Research, 2001, 15: 532-534.
[10] Vinothapooshan, G, Sundar, K. Hepatoprotective activity of Adhatoda vasica leaves against carbontetrachloride induced toxicity. Pharmacologyonline, 2010, 2: 551-558.
[11] Hashemi,S, Zulkifli, I, Farida, A, et al. Acute toxicity study and phytochemical screening of selected herbal aqueous extract in broiler chickens. International Journal of Pharmacology, 2008, 4(5): 352-360. DOI: 10.3923/ijp.2008.352.360.
[12] Hashemi, S, Zulkifli, I, Zunita, Z, et al. Effects of dietary supplementation with Euphorbia hirta and acidifier on performance and Salmonella colonization in broiler chickens. Proceedings of the 30th Malaysia Society of Animal Production Annual Conference, 2009.
[13] Alagbe Olujimi John. Novel phytogenics’ impact on weaned pigs growth performance, haematology and serum biochemical indicators. Black Sea Journal of Agriculture, 2024, 7(2): 82-89.
[14] Adewale, A O, Alagbe, J O, Adeoye, Adekemi O. Dietary Supplementation of Rauvolfia Vomitoria Root Extract as A Phytogenic Feed Additive in Growing Rabbit Diets: Haematology and serum biochemical indices. International Journal of Orange Technologies, 2021, 3(3): 1-12.
[15] John, A O. Growth performance, haemato-biochemical indices of broiler chicken fed Aristochia indica as a phytogenic feed additive. Cerrado: Agricultural and Biological Research, 2024, 1(1): 42-53.
[16] Yadav, R N S, Munin, A. Phytochemical analysis of some medicinal plants. Journal of Phytology, 2011, 3(12): 10-14.
[17] Iqbal, H, Riaz, U, Rooh, U, et al. Phytochemical analysis of selected medicinal plants. African Journal of Biotechnology, 2011, 10(38): 7487-7492.
[18] John, A O. Clerodendron splendens leaf extract supplementation in weaner rabbits: impact on growth performance, haematology and intestinal microbial population. Cerrado: Agricultural and Biological Research, 2024, 1(1): 21-31.
[19] Alagbe John Olujimi, Ramalan Sadiq Muhammad, Shittu Muritala Daniel, et al. Effect of Trichilia monadelpha stem bark extract on the fatty acid composition of rabbit’s thigh meat. Journal of Environmental Issues and Climate Change, 2024, 1(1): 63-71.
[20] John, A O, Muritala, S D, Aduragbemi, Y A, et al. The approximate mineral and phytochemical content of the leaves, stem bark and roots of Pterocarpus erinaceus in India. Cerrado: Agricultural and Biological Research, 2024, 1(1): 32-41.
[21] Olujimi, J A. Impact of Cordyline fruiticosa leaf meal supplemented diet on growth performance, egg production, egg quality and some heamatological indices of laying hen. Discovery Agriculture, 2024, 10(21): e14da1570.
[22] Upadhaya, S D, Kim, I A. Effects of essential oil and yeast culture supplements on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and blood characteristics of weaning pigs. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 2015, 85(9): 1017-1020.
[23] Shittu, M D, Alagbe, J O, Adejumo, D O, et al. Productive Performance, Caeca Microbial Population and Immune-Modulatory Activity of Broiler Chicks Fed Different Levels Sida Acuta Leaf Extract in Replacement of Antibiotics. Bioinformatics and Proteomics Open Access Journal, 2021, 5(1): 000143.
[24] John, A O. Effect of coconut shell extract on the growth performance and some haemato-biochemical parameters of broiler chicken. Brazilian Journal of Science, 2024, 3(6): 82-95.
[25] Li P, Piao X, Ru Y, et al. Effects of adding essential oil to the diet of weaned pigs on performance, nutrient utilization, immune response and intestinal health. Asian-Australas Journal of Animal Science, 2012, 25: 161.
[26] Mizumoto R, Kawarada Y. Effects of broccoli extract and various essential oils on intestinal and faecal microflora and on xenobiotic enzymes and the antioxidant system of piglets. Open Journal of Animal Science, 2012, 2: 78-98.
[27] Subhashini S, Kantha D Arunachalam. Investigation of the phytochemical activities and wound healing properties of