Immunomodulatory activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract against mixed Eimeria infection in chickens

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of aqueous methanolic extract (AME) of Glycyrrhiza glabra (roots) against mixed Eimeria species infection in broiler chickens. For in vivo trial, 175 day old broiler chicks were divided into five equal groups (A, B, C, D and E). At one week of age, groups A, B and C were given orally three graded doses of G. glabra AME (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg of body weight respectively) for three consecutive days. Group D served as positive (Vitamin E treated) and Group E as negative control (PBS treated). At 14th day of age, all groups were infected orally with 60,000 sporulated oocysts of mixed Eimeria species. Cell mediated immune response was evaluated by four tests (Phytohemagglutinin-P, Concanavalin-A, Carbon clearance assay and Dinitrochlorobenzene). Humoral immune response was evaluated by microplate hemagglutination test using sheep red blood cells. Results revealed a dose dependent immune response in G. glabra AME treated groups. Cell mediated and humoral immune response of group treated with G. glabra AME @ 300 mg/kg of body weight was almost similar (P > 0.05) to the positive control group (Vitamin E treated). G. glabra AME treated groups showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) cell mediated and humoral response as compared to negative control (PBS treated).