Immunostimulatory and protective effects of Aloe vera components against coccidiosis in broilers

Present study reports immunostimulatory effect of Aloe vera L. extracts in chickens and their protection against coccidiosis. Study was divided into two experiments. Experiment-I was conducted for evaluation of immunostimulatory activity of Aloe vera extracts and experiment-II for protective efficacy against coccidiosis. Results of experiment-I revealed significantly higher (P<0.05) lymphoproliferative responses in chickens administered with ethanolic extract as compared to chickens administered aqueous extract and control group. Microplate haemagglutination assay for humoral response on day 7th and 14th post primary and secondary injections of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) revealed significantly higher (P<0.05) anti SRBC antibody (total Ig, IgG and IgM) titers in experimental groups as compared to control; although both the Aloe vera extracts showed no significant effects on the development of lymphoid organs. Results of experiment-II revealed maximum percent protection (60%) in chickens administered with aqueous extract as compared to ethanolic extract administered chickens (45%). Mean oocysts per gram of droppings in control group was significantly higher (P<0.05) as compared to chickens in both experimental groups. Chickens administered with aqueous extract (40%) showed severe lesions (3.0–4.0); whereas 55 and 75 percent severe lesions were recorded in ethanolic extract administered and control chickens, respectively. Daily weight gains from day 3rd-12th post-challenge were significantly higher (P<0.05) in chickens administered with aqueous extract as compared to those administered with ethanolic extract and control. It was concluded that Aloe vera may be potential and valuable candidate to stimulate the immune responses and can be used successfully in immunosuppressive diseases like coccidiosis.

Keywords: Aloe vera, chickens, immunostimulation, coccidiosis