Effects of Intravenous Injection of Glycyrrhizin on Serum Biochemical Parameters and Appetite in Inflamed Arian Broiler Chickens

Background: Broiler chicken populations are currently facing a pressing issue in the form of bacterial infections, which significantly impact their growth and developmental processes. Glycyrrhizin (GL), a compound discovered in licorice, is a unique and versatile compound with various psycho-chemical properties that contribute to its diverse biological activities. It also has immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, hepatoprotective, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to overall poultry health. Objectives: This study aims to modulate the effect of GL on appetite and serum markers by mitigating inflammation in chickens. Methods: The effects of GL and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on broiler chickens were investigated. Twenty-four one-day-old male Arian broiler chickens (Simorgh Co., Mashhad, Iran) were divided into four control groups and three treatment groups receiving LPS alone or with GL at two different dosages. Treatments were administered intravenously on day 20, and feed intake and blood samples were monitored. Results: LPS injection significantly reduced feed intake compared to the control group at 4.5, 5 and 6 h. after injection (P<0.05). Furthermore, the co-administration of LPS+GL resulted in a dose-dependent increase in cumulative feed consumption compared to that in the LPS group at 4.5, 5 and 6 h. following the injection. Additionally, the groups treated with LPS and GL showed reduced activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzymes relative to the group that received only LPS, suggesting that GL may exert a hepatoprotective effect. GL mitigated the negative effects of LPS and improved the albumin-to-globulin (A/G) ratio, highlighting its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent. Conclusion: GL positively influences appetite and liver function in inflamed Arian broilers.