Phytochemical and nutraceutical activities of Ipomoea asarifolia on lipid profile, blood parameters, bone growth and mineralization, and oxidative stress biomarkers of broiler chickens in the tropics

Plant-based feed additives have proven effective in mitigating the negative impact of heat stress, due to their bioactive substances that can reduce oxidative damage; thereby improving health and productivity. The study examines the phytochemical and nutraceutical activities of Ipomoea asarifolia on lipid profile, blood parameters, bone growth and mineralization, and oxidative stress biomarkers of broiler chickens. A total of n = 200, 8 day-old (Ross 308) broiler chickens were randomly assigned into 4 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Four experimental diets were formulated with Ipomoea asarifolia leaf powder included at the rate of 0.0%, 0.8%, 1.6%, and 2.4%. The diets were designated as D1, D2, D3, and D4, respectively. Tannin is the most abundant when compared with other phytochemicals in Ipomoea asarifolia . The α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition at 50, 100, and 200 concentrations were (24.80%, 30.03%, 50.08%) and (22.84%, 32.98%, 57.10%), respectively. There was no significant effect ( P > 0.05) on total cholesterol, triglycerides, and very low density lipoprotein. High density lipoprotein was lower and low density lipoprotein was higher in D1 than in the other dietary treatments. In D3, sodium in serum was higher ( P < 0.05) than in the rest of the treatments. Tibia bone’s length in D1, D2, and D3 was higher ( P < 0.05) than in D4. Calcium and phosphorus at lower inclusion levels were higher ( P < 0.05) than at the highest level. Oxidative stress biomarkers were different ( P < 0.05) across the dietary treatments. Practically, diet composition for broilers should incorporate Ipomoea asarifolia up to 1.6% inclusion level, as it appeared to have adverse effects beyond this level on superoxide dismutase and some other indices.