IMPACT OF JUSTICIA CARNEA LEAF AQUEOUS EXTRACT ON HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF AFLATOXIN B1 EXPOSED BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

Aflatoxicosis negatively impacts haematological indices in broiler chickens, leading to a reduction in red blood cells and a weakened immune response. However, phytobiotic compounds demonstrate protective and mitigating effects against the harmful impacts of aflatoxin B1. This study assessed the effects of Justicia carnea leaf aqueous extract (JCLE) on haematological indices of broiler chickens exposed to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Two hundred and forty day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: CNTL (no AFB1 or leaf extract), AFT (0.3 mg/kg AFB1), AFJE1 (0.3 mg/kg AFB1 + 1g J. carnea leaf powder/L drinking water), and AFJE2 (0.3 mg/kg AFB1 + 2g J. carnea leaf powder/L drinking water), with six replicates of 10 chicks each. The birds in AFB1-treated group (AFT) demonstrated a low (P<0.05) packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (HbC) levels, red blood cell (RBC) count and white blood cell (WBC) count, including granulocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes compared to the birds in the control group (CNTL), thus, indicating the occurrence of AFB1- induced anaemia. Supplementation with JCLE at 1g/L and 2g/L of drinking water in birds of AFJE1 and AFJE2 groups respectively, improved these haematological parameters. However, mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean cell volume (MCV), and mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) showed no significant changes. In conclusion, JCLE mitigated AFB1-induced haematotoxic effects in broiler chickens, exhibiting dose-dependent restorative properties and highlighting its potential as a natural remedy for managing aflatoxicosis.