Immunomodulatory effect of Nilavembu Kudineer Choornam in backyard chicken

Aim and Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of Nilavembu Kudineer Choornam (NKC) on humoral, cell-mediated, and nonspecific immunity in unsexed backyard chickens. Materials and Methods: Seventy-two unsexed backyard chickens were randomly assigned to six groups (n=12 per group): control, vaccine control (Newcastle disease oral pellet vaccine), positive control (levamisole at 30 mg/kg), and three treatment groups receiving NKC decoction at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mL/kg. All groups, except the control, were vaccinated at the end of the 1st, 4th, and 8th weeks. Levamisole and NKC were administered via drinking water for five days prior to immunological assessments. Humoral immunity was assessed by immunizing the birds with sheep red blood cells at the end of the 11th and 12th weeks, followed by haemagglutination titre measurements at the end of the 13th and 16th weeks. Cell-mediated immunity was evaluated using a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to phytohemagglutinin-P at the 16th week. Nonspecific immunity was assessed via a carbon clearance test at the 16th week. Results: The haemagglutination titres at the 13th week ranged from 5.80 ± 0.49 to 6.60 ± 0.60, and at the 16th week, from 4.50 ± 0.27 to 5.05 ± 0.20. The highest titres were observed in the NKC 1.0 mL/kg group, followed by the levamisole group. For cell-mediated immunity, the delayed hypersensitivity test showed significantly greater skin thickness (0.20 ± 0.01 to 0.34 ± 0.04 mm) in the treatment groups compared to the control. The carbon clearance test demonstrated enhanced phagocytic activity in all treatment groups (0.024 ± 0.001 to 0.013 ± 0.001) relative to controls. Conclusion: Administration of NKC at 1.0 mL/kg for five days before vaccination significantly enhanced humoral, cell-mediated, and nonspecific immune responses, comparable to levamisole. NKC shows potential as a natural immunomodulator in poultry, enhancing immune responses and offering a viable alternative to synthetic immunostimulants.