Efficacy of PHYTOGIC on the performance of commercial broilers under field conditions.

The progressive ban on in-feed antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) has accelerated the need for efficacious phytogenic alternatives capable of sustaining growth and intestinal health in modern broiler production. PHYTOGIC, a standardized phytogenic formulation derived from Macleaya cordata extract and enriched with benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (primarily sanguinarine and chelerythrine), exhibits potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity, including suppression of the HMGB1–TLR4–NF-κB axis. This field study investigated the effects of dietary PHYTOGIC on growth performance of commercial Vencobb 430 broilers raised on deep litter under high ambient temperature stress (42–45 °C). A total of 36,000 chicks were allocated to two treatments: a basal diet (T1) and the basal diet supplemented with PHYTOGIC at 150 g/ton (T2). Performance indicators, including body weight, feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), corrected FCR (CFCR), and mortality, were monitored over a 42-day production cycle. PHYTOGIC supplementation significantly improved final body weight (2291 g vs. 2110 g; +8.22%) and feed efficiency (FCR: 1.75 vs. 1.80; CFCR: 1.67 vs. 1.77), accompanied by a moderate increase in FI (+5.50%). Mortality remained statistically comparable between groups, indicating no detrimental physiological effects. These results demonstrate that PHYTOGIC enhances nutrient utilization and growth performance under challenging production conditions, supporting its potential as a viable phytogenic replacement for AGPs in commercial broiler systems.

Introduction

The extensive use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in animal feed has contributed to antimicrobial resistance and ecological damage, posing risks to human health. As a result, plant-based alternatives have gained attention for their safety, efficacy, and availability (Songchang et al., 2021). Necrotic enteritis (NE), mainly caused by Clostridium perfringens, is a significant enteric disease in poultry. Restrictions on in-feed antibiotics in regions such as the European Union and China have led to increased NE incidence (Shojadoost et al., 2012), with mortality in young broilers reaching 50%. NE triggers elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (Lee et al., 2011). Immune activation increases resting metabolic rate by 8–27%, diverting energy from growth (Martin et al., 2003). Inflammation reduces feed intake, damages intestinal structure, impairs nutrient absorption, and causes economic losses (Klasing et al., 1987). NE also disrupts gut microbiota, reducing diversity and promoting pro-inflammatory bacteria (Satokari et al., 2015). Dysbiosis weakens immune regulation and enhances pathogen virulence (Baumler et al., 2016).

Macleaya cordata extract (MCE), containing sanguinarine and chelerythrine, was approved as a feed additive in the EU in 2004. Sanguinarine demonstrates antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antitumor properties (Fu et al., 2018; Kumar et al., 2014; Hamoud et al., 2014; Xue et al., 2017). MCE improves growth performance, gut health, and immunity (Khadem et al., 2014), inhibits NF-κB activation (Niu et al., 2012), and is considered a promising AGP alternative (Kim et al., 2012). Safe doses up to 5 mg/kg body weight have been reported (Kosina et al., 2004).

Mechanism of action Macleaya Cordata Extract in poultry gut

Sanguinarine helps reduce inflammation by blocking key signals that trigger the body’s inflammatory response. When cells are damaged, they release a protein called HMGB1, which acts as a danger signal and activates immune cells. Sanguinarine helps prevent the release of HMGB1 and reduces its ability to trigger inflammation.It also blocks a receptor called TLR4 on immune cells. Normally, TLR4 detects harmful signals like HMGB1 and activates further inflammatory pathways. By interfering with this receptor, sanguinarine stops the signal from spreading.In addition, sanguinarine inhibits NF-κB, a major protein that turns on genes responsible for producing inflammatory chemicals. By preventing NF-κB activation, sanguinarine reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Sanguinarine exerts anti-inflammatory effects by targeting the HMGB1–TLR4–NF-κB signaling axis at multiple levels.  Overall, sanguinarine lowers inflammation, limits tissue damage, and helps protect organs, especially in inflammatory conditions of the gut and other tissues (Gu et al., 2022).

Image.1.  Anti-inflammatory mechanism of Sanguinarine showing reduction of gut lesion by interference of HMGB1(High Mobility Group Box 1)/ TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4) pathway in inflammation site.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of PHYTOGIC on the performance of commercial broilers reared on deep litter under field conditions.

Materials and Methods

Experimental Design and Management

The trial was conducted at Harsh Broiler House using Vencobb 430 straight run chicks (not sexed at hatchery) in three treatments of around 12000 birds in each treatment. A total of 36000 birds were considered for trial purpose.  Feed Formulation used was same for all treatment groups except in T2 where PHYTOGIC was added at 150 gm per ton feed respectively in all stages. (Table 1.) In the study, the energy level was equivalent to the standard requirements of broilers recommended in the Vecobb 430. The trial was carried out over a period of 42 days. The birds were fed ad lib feed and water was available all the times. Care was taken to provide good conditions by adopting strict biosecurity measures. The housing and vaccination procedures were same in both groups.

Table 1. Composition of basal diet for broiler chicks in control group for 3 phases.

Broiler Feed Formulation (Control)
Raw Materials	Prestarter	Starter	Finisher
Maize	625.15	652.75	686.65
HiPro Soya	335	300	260
Soya Crude Oil	6	14	23
Limestone Powder	8.5	8.5	8
Dicalcium Phosphate	10	10	8
L Lysine HCI	2.7	2.4	2.3
DL Methionine	3.3	3	2.7
L Threonine	1	1	1
Salt	2.5	2.5	2.5
Soda Bi Carb	1.5	1.5	1.5
Choline Chloride 60%	1	1	1
Organic TM	0.5	0.5	0.5
Broiler Vitamin Premix	0.5	0.5	0.5
Coccidiostat	0.5	0.5	0.5
AGP	0.05	0.05	0.05
NSP Enzyme	0.1	0.1	0.1
Phytase 5000	0.1	0.1	0.1
Feed Acidifier	1	1	1
Toxin Binder	0.6	0.6	0.6

*The figures are in Kilograms.

 The premix provided the following per kilogram of the diet: vitamin A, 6000 IU; vitamin D3, 2500 IU; vitamin B1, 1.75 mg; vitamin B2, 5.5 mg; vitamin B6, 4 mg; vitamin B12, 0.18 mg; vitamin E, 25 mg; vitamin K3, 2.25 mg; Cu, 7.5 mg; Mn, 60 mg; Fe, 75 mg; Zn, 60 mg; Se, 0.15 mg; biotin, 0.14 mg; NaCl, 3.7 g; folic acid, 0.8 mg; pantothenic acid, 12 mg; phytase, 400 U; nicotinic acid, 34 mg; chloride, 350 mg. *Nutrient levels were all calculated values.

Treatment Details-

T1: Control group fed basal diet

T2: Control group fed basal diet + PHYTOGIC @150 g PMT

Parameters Studied-

1. Body Weight gain was recorded weekly
2. Feed Consumption recorded daily and leftover feed was adjusted in the other day quota to know actual intake.
3. Mortality was recorded daily
4. EEF calculated post harvesting of the flock
5. FCR was calculated every week and post harvesting of the flock.

Results:

Effect of Supplementation of Phytogic on body growth performance parameters like Body Weights, Feed Consumption, FCR and Average Daily gain of Control and Treatment Groups

Fig.1. Effect of different dietary treatments on Body Weights (g)

Conclusion:Broilers in the T2 – PHYTOGIC group fed at 150g/ton of feed achieved higher final body weights (2291 g) compared to the T1 – Control group (2110 g), showing an 8.22% improvement. This indicates that PHYTOGIC supplementation effectively enhances growth performance in broilers.

Fig.2. Effect of different dietary treatments on Feed Intake (g)

Conclusion:Broilers in the T2 – PHYTOGIC group fed at 150g/ton of feed consumed more feed (4015 g) compared to the T1 – Control group (3800 g), showing a 5.50% increase in feed intake. This suggests that PHYTOGIC supplementation may enhance feed consumption in broilers.

Fig.3. Effect of different dietary treatments on Weekly Gain (g)

Conclusion: The average weekly percentage difference in weight gain between T2 – PHYTOGIC fed at 150g/ton of feed and T1 – Control was -3.84%, indicating that, overall, PHYTOGIC supplementation did not improve weekly weight gain in broilers and was slightly less effective than the control in this trial.

Fig.4. Effect of different dietary treatments on Feed Conversion Ratio

Conclusion:Broilers in the T2 – PHYTOGIC group fed at 150g/ton of feed showed an improved feed conversion ratio (1.75) compared to the T1 – Control group (1.80), with a 2.81% improvement. This suggests that PHYTOGIC supplementation enhances feed efficiency in broilers, allowing for better weight gain per unit of feed consumed.

Fig.5. Effect of different dietary treatments on Weekly Mortality (%)

Conclusion:The mortality rate in the T2 – PHYTOGIC group fed at 150g/ton of feed was (7.44%) slightly higher than the T1 – Control group (7.39%), with a 0.27% difference. This minimal variation indicates that PHYTOGIC supplementation had no significant effect on broiler mortality under the conditions of this study.

Table 2. Summary of the Report-

Parameters	T1- Control	T2- PHYTOGIC	% Difference
Body Weight (g)	2110	2291	8.22
Feed Intake (g)	3800	4015	5.50
FCR	1.80	1.75	2.81
CFCR	1.77	1.67	5.81
Mortality (%)	7.39	7.44	0.27

Discussion

The findings of the present field study demonstrate that dietary supplementation with PHYTOGIC at 150 g/ton improved broiler growth performance under commercial deep-litter and heat-stress conditions. Broilers receiving PHYTOGIC exhibited an 8.22% increase in final body weight compared to the control group, indicating enhanced nutrient utilization and metabolic efficiency. This improvement is consistent with previous reports showing that Macleaya cordata extract and its major alkaloid, sanguinarine, can promote growth by reducing intestinal inflammation, stabilizing gut microbiota, and improving nutrient absorption. The observed increase in feed intake (5.50%) in the PHYTOGIC group suggests that phytogenic supplementation may have positively influenced appetite or gut comfort, allowing birds to maintain adequate consumption despite environmental temperature stress.

Feed efficiency was also improved, as evidenced by reductions in FCR (1.75 vs. 1.80) and CFCR (1.67 vs. 1.77). This aligns with earlier studies reporting that sanguinarine-containing extracts suppress inflammatory pathways such as the HMGB1–TLR4–NF-κB axis, thereby reducing metabolic energy waste associated with immune activation. By lowering the inflammatory burden, PHYTOGIC likely allowed more dietary energy to be directed toward growth rather than immune-related maintenance. Improvements in FCR also support the hypothesis that phytogenic compounds enhance gut function through modulation of intestinal morphology and beneficial microbiota populations, as reported in previous research.

Weekly weight gain patterns showed some variation, with PHYTOGIC not consistently outperforming the control in all weeks. This may be attributed to fluctuating heat stress levels and daily feed intake variations typical of field conditions. However, despite these short-term variations, the cumulative performance benefits remained substantial by the end of the production cycle.

Importantly, mortality rates were nearly identical between treatments (7.39% vs. 7.44%), indicating that PHYTOGIC supplementation did not impose any negative health effects and is safe for use under commercial conditions. The lack of impact on mortality also suggests that the performance improvements were not driven by survivability differences but by true enhancement of growth and feed efficiency.

Overall, the results support the potential of PHYTOGIC as an effective phytogenic alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. Its ability to improve growth performance and feed efficiency, even under extreme heat, aligns with its known anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and gut-modulating properties. The findings strengthen the evidence that phytogenic compounds derived from Macleaya cordata can contribute to sustainable poultry production by enhancing physiological resilience and intestinal health.

Conclusion- The trial was conducted in the extreme heat season where average temperature in the surrounding was around 42-45 degree Celsius. The T2 (PHYTOGIC) groups showed overall improved performance compared to the T1 (Control) group. Specifically, the body weight of T2 (PHYTOGIC) was 8.22% higher than T1 (Control), indicating better growth. Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and Corrected FCR (CFCR) were both lower in T2 (PHYTOGIC) by 2.81% and 5.81%, respectively, demonstrating more efficient feed utilization in the T2 (PHYTOGIC) group than T1 (Control). Mortality rates were nearly identical between the two groups, indicating that the supplement did not adversely affect survival. Overall, PHYTOGIC supplementation resulted in better growth performance and feed efficiency compared to the control with no significant impact on mortality.