1737 Research Article Received: 21 October 2010 Revised: 8 February 2011 Accepted: 1 March 2011 Published online in Wiley Online Library: 7 April 2011 (wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI 10.1002/jsfa.4399 Immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective role of feed-added Berberis lycium in broiler chicks Naila Chand, a Fazli Raziq Durrani, a Sohail Ahmad a and Amanullah Khan b* Abstract BACKGROUND: A large number of plants and their isolates have been shown to potentiate immunity. Some plants exert anti-inflammatory and anti-stress effects, others hepatoprotective activity. In this study, 320 1-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into four major groups A, B, C and D and fed rations supplemented with 0, 15, 20 and 22.5 g Berberis lycium kg -1 ration respectively. Each group was further divided into two subgroups, one vaccinated against Newcastle disease (ND) and infectious bursal disease (IBD), the other non-vaccinated. Antibody titre against IBD and ND, relative weight of lymphoid organs, post-challenge morbidity and mortality, serum hepatic enzymes and total serum protein were observed. RESULTS: Group C had higher anti-IBD and anti-ND antibody titres. Relative bursa weight in groups C and D was higher until day 28, but birds in group C performed better at later stages of examination. Relative spleen weight was highest in group C. During initial stages there was no effect on relative thymus weight, but at later stages the effect was significant. Groups C and D performed similarly in terms of relative thymus weight. The birds were challenged to field IBD through intramuscular injection at a dose rate of 0.5 mL per bird. Post-challenge morbidity was lowest in groups C and D, while treatment significantly (P < 0.001) affected mortality amongst affected (morbid) birds. Levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were lowest in group C. Serum protein was similar in all groups and in both vaccinated and non-vaccinated broiler chicks. CONCLUSION: Berberis lycium added to feed at 20 g kg -1 is effective in improving immunity against ND and IBD as well as liver function in broiler chicks. c  2011 Society of Chemical Industry Keywords: immunomodulatory; hepatoprotective; Berberis lycium; broiler chicks INTRODUCTION Several plants and herbs have been used directly or indirectly for the treatment of various human/animal ailments. The develop- ment of numerous antibiotics and antiviral compounds of plant origin has further signified the importance of plants and herbs as medicinal sources. In the present era, plants and herbs have not lost their medicinal utility; rather, the advent of phytochem- istry has increased several-fold the utility of herbs and plants as medicinal sources. A large number of plants and their isolated constituents have been shown to potentiate immunity. 1,2 Some medicinal plants have been shown to exert anti-inflammatory, anti-stress and anti-cancer effects by modulating the immune function. 3,4 Berberis lycium, one of the plant species abundantly available in Baluchistan, Dir, Sawat, Chitral, Hazara, Murree (Pakistan) and Azad Kashmir, is extensively used for the treatment of several diseases under local practices. The plant contains the major alkaloid berberine, which is an isoquinoline alkaloid. This is usually taken from the root or root bark of B. lycium and other Berberis species abundantly available in local forests. Berberine possesses antibacterial and antiprotozoal properties and has been effectively used in ground form for treating kidney infections in humans. 5 Berberine strongly inhibited in vitro the proliferative response of mouse spleen cells to the T-dependent mitogens concanavalin A and phytochemagglutinin. 6 Berberine, berbamine and palmatine are the active alkaloids in B. lycium that possess anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and antipyretic properties. 7 Berberine sulfate, one of the important compounds, is effective in protecting chicken embryos from infections caused by the trachoma organism. The roots of B. lycium, known as ‘Darhald’, are used as a tonic, astringent and diaphoetic and to treat bleeding piles. 8 A crude preparation of the plant known as ‘Rasaut’, mixed with butter and/or alum or lime juice, is applied over the eyelids in acute conjunctivitis and chronic opthalmia. Berberine has also been locally reported to be effective in amoebiasis and cholera and disincentive in diarrhoea. It has also been reported to reduce cholesterol 9,10 and improve the immune performance of the body. 11 It is also believed to work against tumours and cancers in most cases. 12 ‘Rasaut’ is also used for washing gastric and duodenal ulcers. The extract of B. lycium fruit shows antihistaminic and anticholinergic activity and also possesses stomachic, astringent and antipyretic properties. 13 The present study was performed to investigate the effect of feeding different levels of B. lycium on immunity against Newcastle ∗ Correspondence to: Amanullah Khan, Department of Agronomy, Agricultural University Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan. E-mail: draman agronomist@yahoo.com a Department of Poultry Science, Agricultural University Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan b Department of Agronomy, Agricultural University Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan J Sci Food Agric 2011; 91: 1737–1745 www.soci.org c  2011 Society of Chemical Industry