Effect of Fermented Wheat Germ Extract on Newcastle Disease Virus infection in Embryonated Chicken Eggs

Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) poses a significant threat to poultry health, requiring an ongoing need for effective antiviral treatments. Fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE) has been investigated for its potential therapeutic properties, including its impact on viral infections. Here, we aimed to evaluate the protective and therapeutic effects of FWGE against NDV infection in embryonated chicken. Embryonated chicken eggs were treated with FWGE and exposed to NDV at various concentrations. Toxicity trial to determine safe FWGE concentrations. Experimental groups were treated with FWGE either before or after NDV inoculation. Hemagglutination (HA) titers were measured to assess viral replication, and viral load was quantified using real-time RT-PCR. Mortality rates and the effects of different administration timings were also recorded. The results showed that FWGE was found to be non-toxic at concentrations of 1000 and 2000 µg/mL, but higher concentration 5000 µg/mL resulted in 40% mortality, indicating a dose-dependent toxicity. In NDV-infected embryos, FWGE treatment administered post-infection provided complete protection, significantly reducing mortality and viral load. FWGE pre-treatment showed partial protective effects with reduced mortality compared to NDV-positive control. HA titers were significantly reduced when FWGE was administered post-infection, reflecting its ability to inhibit viral replication. The results suggested that FWGE demonstrates promising antiviral properties, particularly when administered after NDV infection by 24 hours. Its capacity to reduce mortality, HA titers, and viral load underscores its potential as a therapeutic agent. However, its effectiveness as a pre-exposure treatment appears limited, suggesting that FWGE may be most beneficial as post-infection therapy.