Multi-herb technology for optimal gut health during coccidial challenge
Optimal gut health is essential for achieving growth and efficient feed utilization in poultry. Under coccidial challenge, a synergistic
polyherbal solution helps reinforce intestinal integrity, reduce lesion development, and preserve bird performance.
Introduction
Maintaining gut health is a major priority in modern poultry production, especially as birds face multiple stressors that compromise intestinal integrity.
Among the most impactful of these is coccidiosis, a protozoan infection caused by
Eimeria spp. that damages the intestinal epithelium, disrupts nutrient absorption, and reduces overall productive performance.
The consequences include poor feed conversion, lower body weight gain, and a greater risk of secondary bacterial infections.
Why This Matters
While hygiene, litter management, and vaccination help reduce exposure, producers increasingly seek natural alternatives that strengthen intestinal resilience and improve bird performance without relying solely on synthetic anticoccidials.
Natural Strategies for Intestinal Protection
Plant-based feed additives such as:
- Essential oils
- Oleoresins
- Organic acids
- Plant extracts
are increasingly used to help maintain microbiome balance and support immune defense.
Rather than only eliminating parasites directly, these solutions aim to strengthen the bird’s
natural defenses and improve overall intestinal functionality.
NuxaSan 500®
A polyherbal formulation containing saponins, tannins, and flavonoids that helps modulate immune responses, reduce oxidative stress, and preserve intestinal barrier integrity.
In Vitro Study: Reduced Sporozoite Viability
An in vitro trial conducted at Poulpharm (Belgium) evaluated the effect of the polyherbal mixture (PHM; NuxaSan 500®) on the viability of:
- Eimeria tenella
- Eimeria maxima
Four treatments were compared:
- Negative control (PBS)
- Solvent control (DMSO)
- Salinomycin (12 mg/kg)
- PHM (500 mg/kg)
Results showed that PHM reduced E. tenella sporozoites by:
- 54% at 24 hours
- 97% at 48 hours
- 100% at 72 hours
For E. maxima, PHM completely eliminated sporozoites within just 24 hours—showing stronger results than salinomycin.
“The polyherbal product completely eliminated E. maxima sporozoites within 24 hours.”
In Vivo Trial Design
A controlled feeding trial was conducted at the University of Georgia (USA) using
288 day-old Cobb 500 male broiler chicks.
Birds were divided into three groups:
- Non-challenged control (NC)
- Challenged control (CC)
- Challenged + PHM supplementation
Birds in the challenged groups were orally inoculated with:
- E. acervulina
- E. maxima
- E. tenella
PHM was included at 500 mg/kg in the diet.
Performance Improvement Under Challenge
Eimeria challenge reduced body weight and worsened feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the challenged control group.
Birds receiving PHM showed significantly better growth:
- +10.1% body weight at day 20
- +13.97% body weight at day 28
Feed conversion ratio also improved:
- 7.79% improvement (day 14–20)
- 6.79% improvement (day 20–28)
- 4.14% improvement (day 0–28)
Performance + Gut Protection
PHM supplementation helped birds maintain productive performance while protecting gut structure and reducing lesion severity during Eimeria challenge.
Other Key Benefits
Additional positive effects included:
- Reduced lesion scores in duodenum, jejunum, and ceca
- Lower oocyst shedding
- Improved gut permeability
- Better villus height and crypt structure
- Improved tight junction protein expression
- Lower IL-1β and TNF-α expression
- Higher antioxidant enzyme (GPX) activity
These findings indicate stronger intestinal integrity and better resilience under protozoal stress.
Conclusion
As poultry production moves toward more sustainable and natural health solutions,
phytogenic additives are becoming increasingly important.
The results from both in vitro and in vivo trials demonstrate that
NuxaSan 500® helps preserve gut integrity, reduce inflammation, support recovery during infection, and maintain overall zootechnical performance.
Most importantly, these benefits were achieved without relying on conventional synthetic anticoccidials.
Final Perspective
Multi-herb technology offers a powerful natural strategy to support poultry gut health, improve resilience under coccidial pressure, and protect long-term ortantly, theproductivity.
Read more at Nuproxa.com