Effects of dietary supplementation of different herbs on relative expression of Toll-like Receptors (TLRs) in poultry

Abstract

The paucity of novel antibiotics for treating human and animal infections has heightened global fears about growing drug-resistant superbugs. Antibiotic replacement approaches for food-producing animals, particularly poultry and livestock, are urgently needed by the agricultural business. The need of the hour is to develop and exploit promising antibiotic-alternative phytochemicals in order to minimize Antibiotic Growth Promoters and develop an antibiotic-free animal production system. Phytogenic plant dietary supplements have positive effects on poultry performance and immunity. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a key role in the innate immune system. TLRs recognize microbes that have broken through physical barriers such as the skin or the mucosa of the digestive tract, triggering immune cell responses. Supplementation of herbs in the dietary regimen of poultry had shown stimulatory effects on the immune system. Herbs such as Amla, Ashwagandha, Garlic powder, Giloy, Turmeric, Shatavari, Aloe vera, Moringa and holy basil have been shown to increase the relative mRNA expression of different toll-like receptors, thereby enhancing broiler immunological status by modulating their immune response.