Dietary α-Mangostin alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced stress and enhances growth performance in broilers via...

α-Mangostin (α-MG), a bioactive xanthone from mangosteen, possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but its efficacy and optimal dosage in broilers remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of α-MG on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged and normally reared broilers to determine the optimal supplementation level. Two experiments were conducted. In Exp. 1, 396 one-d-old Cobb broilers (initial body weight: 42.45 ± 0.46 g) were divided into six groups, each with six replicates of 11 birds. The negative control group received a basal diet and was injected with saline, and the other groups were challenged with LPS and fed diets containing 0 (positive control), 100, 150, 200, and 250 mg/kg α-MG for 21 d. In Exp. 2, 792 one-d-old Arbor Acres broilers (initial body weight: 42.54 ± 0.44 g) were divided into six groups, each with six replicates of 22 birds, and fed diets containing 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mg/kg α-MG for 42 d. The results showed that in Exp. 1, supplementation with 150 mg/kg α-MG improved ileal morphology (villus height/crypt depth), immune cell proportions (CD4⁺CD8^-/CD3⁺), and secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentration compared with the positive control (P < 0.05). In Exp. 2, supplementation with 150 mg/kg α-MG enhanced body weight and average daily gain on d 21, increased muscle glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) content, reduced serum interleulin-1 beta (IL-1β) and diamine oxidase (DAO) activities, improved ileal morphology (villus height), and upregulated ERK1 expression level (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with α-MG at 150 mg/kg effectively mitigates LPS-induced intestinal damage and immune stress, and promotes growth performance in broilers under normal conditions. The benefits are mediated through the enhancement of antioxidant capacity, downregulation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway-related gene expression, and reinforcement of intestinal mucosal immunity and integrity.