Dietary melegueta seed powder modulates growth, hepatic function, and biomarkers to counteract aflatoxin B₁ toxicity...

Aframomum melegueta seed powder (AMSP) is a phytogenic supplement with notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study assessed its potential to protect broiler chickens against aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁)-induced toxicity. AMSP was screened for phytochemicals and antioxidant activity. A total of 320 Cobb 500 chicks were assigned to four diets using a completely randomized design: CTRL (control), ATB1 (0.4 mg/kg AFB₁), A1AF (AFB₁ + 0.5 g/kg AMSP), and A2AF (AFB₁ + 1.0 g/kg AMSP) for six weeks. Exposure to AFB₁ by the birds in ATB1 markedly (P < 0.05) impaired growth performance, as evidenced by reduced final body weight (2,315.82 g vs. 2,743.23 g in CTRL), lower protein intake (813.45 g vs. 837.24 g), and increased feed conversion ratio (1.70 vs. 1.47). AMSP supplementation, particularly at 1.0 g/kg in A2AF, restored growth performance to control levels, while supplementation at 0.5 g/kg in A1AF achieved partial recovery. Compared with the CTRL group, AFB₁ exposure in the ATB1 birds reduced (P < 0.05) packed cell volume (29.37% vs. 35.05%) and haemoglobin concentration (9.79 g/dL vs. 11.68 g/dL), elevated (P < 0.05) ALT (24.04 vs. 16.77 IU/L), AST (70.62 vs. 57.59 IU/L), creatinine (74.85 vs. 52.43 µmol/L), TNF-α, IL-6, and corticosterone, and suppressed (P < 0.05) IL-10. These disruptions were largely normalised by AMSP, especially at 1.0 g/kg, restoring ALT, AST, creatinine, IL-10, and corticosterone to CTRL values. Histopathological analysis further confirmed that periportal inflammation and hepatic architectural damage induced by AFB₁ in ATB1 were attenuated in A1AF and absent in A2AF. In conclusion, AMSP supplementation at 1.0 g/kg effectively mitigated AFB₁-induced growth, biochemical, and hepatic impairments in broilers. These findings highlight AMSP as a promising natural feed additive for improving poultry health and ensuring feed safety, warranting further investigation into its application under commercial production conditions.