# Synergistic Effects of Sanguinarine and Achyranthes bidentata Polysaccharides on Growth and Immunity in Yellow-Feathered Broilers

## TL;DR

This study shows that combining sanguinarine and Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides can improve growth and immunity in broiler chickens, offering a natural alternative to antibiotics.

## Contribution

The study identifies a synergistic combination of sanguinarine and ABPS that enhances immune function and growth performance in broilers.

## Key findings

- Combining 0.5 mg/kg sanguinarine and 300 mg/kg ABPS significantly boosts immune responses in broilers.
- Sanguinarine improves early growth, while ABPS reduces feed conversion ratio effectively.
- The combination of SA and ABPS shows synergistic effects on lymphocyte proliferation and immune organ development.

## Abstract

The overuse of antibiotics in poultry farming is a global concern, driving the search for effective natural alternatives. This study explores the potential of two plant-based compounds—sanguinarine (SA) and Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides (ABPS)—as feed additives for yellow-feathered broilers. We investigated how these supplements, when used alone or together, affect the birds’ growth and immune health. Our findings show that both SA and ABPS can improve weight gain and feed efficiency at specific stages of growth. More importantly, we discovered that combining them creates a synergistic effect, meaning their joint action is more powerful than the sum of their individual effects. A key finding is that a combination of 0.5 mg/kg of SA and 300 mg/kg of ABPS was particularly effective in boosting the birds’ immune responses. This research provides strong evidence that SA and ABPS can be used as a natural and effective strategy to promote health and productivity in broiler chickens, contributing to sustainable and antibiotic-free poultry production.

The search for natural alternatives to in-feed antibiotics is a central focus in sustainable poultry production. This study investigated the individual and combined effects of Sanguinarine (SA) and Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides (ABPS), two bioactive compounds derived from Chinese herbs, on the growth performance and immune function of yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 1728 one-day-old female broilers were randomly allocated to 36 treatment groups in a 6 × 6 factorial arrangement, with factors being six levels of SA (0, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, and 0.75 mg/kg) and six levels of ABPS (0, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 mg/kg). Over an 8-week period, growth performance indicators, including average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR), were monitored. Immune status was assessed through relative weights of immune organs (thymus, bursa of Fabricius, spleen) and lymphocyte proliferation at 4 and 8 weeks of age. The results demonstrated that SA supplementation significantly improved ADG during the initial 0–2-week period, while its effects on ADFI and FCR varied across different growth stages. ABPS supplementation was most effective in reducing FCR throughout the experiment, with the optimal effect observed at 500 mg/kg. Regarding immune parameters, SA at 0.7 mg/kg yielded the highest relative immune organ weights and lymphocyte proliferation at 4 weeks, whereas 0.5 mg/kg was most effective for lymphocyte proliferation at 8 weeks. ABPS at 500 mg/kg consistently promoted immune organ development and lymphocyte proliferation. A significant synergistic interaction between SA and ABPS was identified for several key outcomes. This interaction influenced ADG and ADFI at 8 weeks of age, relative thymus weight at 4 weeks, and lymphocyte proliferation at both 4 and 8 weeks. Notably, the combination of SA at 0.5 mg/kg and ABPS at 300 mg/kg (A3B3) produced a marked enhancement in lymphocyte proliferation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with SA, ABPS, or their combination can modulate growth performance and enhance immune function in yellow-feathered broilers. The effects are dose-dependent and can be synergistic, with the combination of 0.5 mg/kg SA and 300 mg/kg ABPS showing particular promise for boosting cell-mediated immunity. These findings support the potential of SA and ABPS as beneficial natural feed additives for antibiotic-free poultry production.