Synergistic herbal decoction (Artemisia, Green tea, Thyme, Lemon) for controlling coccidiosis and improving intestinal health in Broilers chickens

Abstract

This study evaluated the synergistic efficacy of a novel herbal decoction combining Artemisia annua, green tea, thyme, and lemon against mixed Eimeria infection in broiler chickens. Two hundred one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five experimental groups: negative control (uninfected untreated), positive control (infected untreated), amprolium control (infected treated with 1 g/kg amprolium in drinking water), low-dose herbal decoction (infected treated with 5 mL/L), and high-dose herbal decoction (infected treated with 10 mL/L). At 14 days of age, all groups except negative control were orally challenged with a mixed suspension containing sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella, E. acervulina, and E. maxima at 5 × 10⁴ oocysts per bird. Herbal decoction was administered in drinking water for 10 consecutive days post-infection. The high-dose herbal treatment significantly reduced oocyst shedding compared to the positive control, demonstrating efficacy comparable to amprolium. Intestinal lesion scores were markedly lower in the high-dose herbal group versus positive control, with improved villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio indicating enhanced intestinal health. Body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved in herbal-treated birds compared to infected untreated controls. Serum analysis revealed reduced malondialdehyde levels and restored superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in the high-dose herbal group, indicating effective mitigation of oxidative stress. Inflammatory markers were normalized, with decreased interleukin-6 and increased interleukin-10 levels. Hematological parameters were restored to normal values, reflecting control of cecal hemorrhage. Cecal microbiota analysis demonstrated that the high-dose herbal treatment promoted beneficial Lactobacillus while suppressing pathogenic Escherichia coli and Clostridium species. The synergistic herbal decoction exhibited potent anticoccidial and anti-diarrheal effects, improving intestinal health and growth performance in Eimeria -challenged broilers. This quadruple combination represents a viable natural alternative for sustainable, antibiotic-free coccidiosis control in poultry production.