Evaluation of therapeutic effects of an herbal mixture (Echinacea purpurea and Glycyrrhiza glabra) for treatment of clinical coccidiosis in broilers

BACKGROUND Avian coccidiosis is thought to be one of the most expensive infectious diseases in the poultry industry. OBJECTIVES Safe and alternative anti-coccidial drugs are herbal extracts because they do not result in tissue residue and drug resistance. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-coccidial effect of the herbal mixture, a complex of two plants (Echinacea purpurea, Glycyrrhiza glabra) in broiler chickens in comparison with toltrazuril. METHODS One hundred twenty broiler chickens were used in this experiment and divided into 4 equally numbered groups. All the groups, except Group D, were experimentally infected with mixed Eimeria spp. (E. Tenella, E. maxima, E. necatrix and E. brunetti) on day 14. Group A treated with an herbal mixture [Glycyrrhiza glabra Extract 5% (standardised to 5.4% glycyrrhizic acid) and Echinacea purpurea Extract 2% (standardised to 4% total phenolic content based on chlorogenic acid); Coxinin-EC® ; Shamim Teb Sepid Giti]. Group B treated with toltrazuril. Group C was experimentally infected with mixed Eimeria spp. but they did not have any treatment, this group was our positive control. Performance indices, faecal oocyst excretion, and intestinal lesion score were determined during the experiment. RESULTS Positive control group had the poorest results and more mortality than other groups. Group D was not infected and was healthy all the experiment period. Treatment with herbal complex significantly reduced the negative performance and pathogenic effects associated with Eimeria spp. at a level that was comparable with toltrazuril. CONCLUSIONS In summary, the anti-coccidial activity of the studied herbal complex suggests its use as an alternative anti-coccidial agent to chemotherapeutic drugs for controlling coccidiosis in poultry. HIGHLIGHTS -Coccidiosis is an important infectious disease that causes serious financial loss to the poultry industry. -Chemical anti-coccidial drugs and vaccines are the main control strategies to combat the disease. However, these tools have some constraints. -Herbal remedies are suitable alternatives to chemical compounds for control of losses associated with coccidiosis in poultry. -An herbal mixture (Echinacea purpurea, Glycyrrhiza glabra) has promising effects for controlling of coccidiosis in broiler chickens.