Barberry (
Berberis lycium) has been used in Indian folk medicine and traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times. The main chemical component in barberry is berberine. Berberine is a nucleic acid-binding isoquinoline alkaloid with wide potential therapeutic properties. Specific applications studied in poultry include:
Poultry Specific Studies
| Type | Plant Part | Dosage | Specific use | Results | Ref |
|---|
| Chickens | | 250 mg/kg of diet | GI health | improved the growth performance of yellow-feathered broilers, and was closely related to the significant changes in cecal microbiota composition. | C Zhu et al., 2021 |
| Chickens | | 100 mg/kg BW | anticoccidial | effectiveness of both amprolium and berberine and revealed synergism between amprolium and berberine against coccidian oocysts, confirmed by significant reduction in the number of coccidian oocysts shed in the feces, leading to better weight gain and improved feed conversion ratio. The study deep-rooted the synergistic potential of berberine, a natural bioactive compound for controlling a protozoan parasite and the results of this study corroborate with its use for treatment of severe diarrhoea, amoebiasis and intestinal infections. | T Malik et al., 2016 |
| Chicks | extract | 4% in drinking water | GI Health | The duodenal villous length and surface area were significantly increased in the 4% barberry water extract-supplemented group. The jejunal villous length was significantly increased in all treatment groups when compared with the control group. No significant differences were observed between the two treatment groups. The ileal villous surface area in all the treatment groups was greater than the control group, but this increase was not significantly different. In conclusion, barberry water extract supplementation, particularly at a value of 4%, can increase the majority of the intestinal architecture in broiler chickens. | A Yazdani et al., 2012 |
| Chicks | | 20 g/kg diet | immunity | improved immunity against ND and IBD as well as liver function | N Chand et al., 2011 |
| Chicks | | 15 mg/kg of BW | Escherichia coli infection | LPS injection initiated a series of physiological changes typical of an acute phase response in broiler chickens. These effects were largely mitigated by oral administration of berberine. | Y Shen et al.,2010 |
| Chickens | extract | 100 mg/kg | antioxidant | Dietary supplementation with FSE, BE, or both can improve the growth performance possibly by enhancing immunity, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting intestinal colonization by healthy microbiota of broilers under high stocking density. | H Zhang et al., 2013 |
References
- Malik TA, Kamili AN, Chishti MZ, Tanveer S, Ahad S, Johri RK. "Synergistic approach for treatment of chicken coccidiosis using berberine - A plant natural product." Microb Pathog. (2016)
- Ahmad K, Ahmad M, Weckerle C. "Ethnoveterinary medicinal plant knowledge and practice among the tribal communities of Thakht-e-Sulaiman hills, west Pakistan." Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2015)
- Malik TA, Kamili AN, Chishti MZ, Tanveer S, Ahad S, Johri RK.. "In vivo anticoccidial activity of berberine [18, 5,6-dihydro-9,10-dimethoxybenzo(g)-1,3-benzodioxolo(5,6-a) quinolizinium]--an isoquinoline alkaloid present in the root bark of Berberis lycium." Phytomedicine (2014)
- Mushtaq, Muhammad, et al.. "In vivo effect of Berberis lyceum and Silybum marianum on production performance and immune status of broiler chickens" ARCHIV FUR TIERZUCHT-ARCHIVES OF ANIMAL BREEDING (2013)
- . "Free-Range Chicken Gardens: Chicken-Resistant Plants" Timber Press (2012)
- Manan, Abdul, et al.. "Effect of periodic supplementation of herbal infusion on the liver function and lipid profile of broiler chickens" Sarhad J Agric (2012)
- Bhardwaj, D., & Kaushik, N. "Phytochemical and pharmacological studies in genus Berberis" Phytochemistry reviews (2012)
- Chand N1, Durrani FR, Ahmad S, Khan A.. "Immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective role of feed-added Berberis lycium in broiler chicks" Journal of the Science and Food of Agriculture (2011)
- Chand, Naila. "Chand, N. (2009). Effect Berberis Lyceum on Performance Serum Lipid Profile Immunity and Liver Functionin Broiler Chicks" Doctoral dissertation, University Of Agriculture, Peshawar (2009)
- Chand, N., et al.. "Role of Berberis lycium in reducing serum cholesterol in broilers" Asian Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences (2007)
- Chand, N., Mian, M. A., & Durrani, Z. "Effect of different levels of feed added Berberis lycium on the performance ofbroiler chicks." International Journal of Biology and Biotechnology (Pakistan). (2005)
- Hamayun, M. "Ethnobotanical studies of some useful shrubs and trees of District Buner, NWFP, Pakistan." Ethnobotanical Leaflets (2003)
