Barberry


Berberis lycium

Barberry

Other Names:

European Barberry

Benefits

  • Antioxidant
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Antimicrobial
  • Antifungal
  • Antiviral
  • Anticoccidial
  • Immunity
  • Heptoprotective
  • Antitumor
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

TypePlant PartDosageSpecific useResultsRef
Chickens250 mg/kg of dietGI healthimproved the growth performance of yellow-feathered broilers, and was closely related to the significant changes in cecal microbiota composition.C Zhu et al., 2021
Chickens100 mg/kg BWanticoccidialeffectiveness 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
Chickensextract100 mg/kgantioxidantDietary 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
Chicksextract4% in drinking waterGI HealthThe 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
Chicks20 g/kg dietimmunityimproved immunity against ND and IBD as well as liver functionN Chand et al., 2011
Chicks15 mg/kg of BWEscherichia coli infectionLPS 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

References