Effect of Eucommia ulmoides Leaf Extract on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Parameters of Oxidative Stress, and Lipid Metabolism in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

<i>Eucommia ulmoides</i> bark has been traditionally used as a Chinese medicine to attenuate stress, but the leaf, which is rich in polyphenols and polysaccharides, has been rarely used. This study aimed to investigate the effect of <i>Eucommia ulmoides</i> leaf extracts (EULEs) on oxidative stress and meat quality of broilers. A total of 252 broilers were randomly divided into 3 treatments and fed with a control basal diet (CON), or a diet containing 250 mg/kg or 1,000 mg/kg of EULE for 51 days. Results showed that dietary supplementation of 250 mg/kg EULE increased significantly the average daily gain of broilers in the early stage (1-21 days), while 250 mg/kg or 1,000 mg/kg of EULE decreased the feed conversion ratio in the whole period (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Supplementation of 250 mg/kg EULE reduced the level of MDA in the liver (<i>P</i> < 0.05), while 1,000 mg/kg EULE decreased the serum level of MDA (<i>P</i> < 0.05), and the HDL level in serum was increased by 250 mg/kg or 1,000 mg/kg EULE (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Additionally, 250 mg/kg EULE decreased abdominal fat ratio and serum triglyceride (TC) level in broilers, while 250 or 1,000 mg/kg of EULE reduced drip loss in breast muscle (<i>P</i> < 0.05), and 1,000 mg/kg EULE reduced the cooking loss in thigh muscle (<i>P</i> < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 250 mg/kg of EULE could attenuate oxidative stress and improve the growth performance and meat quality in broilers.