Recent Advances in Phytogenic Feed Additives in Poultry Nutrition: Mechanistic Insights, a Gulf Region Perspective, and Future Directions

Phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) have attracted growing interest as plant-derived components of antibiotic-reduction strategies in poultry nutrition. Reported effects include modulation of the intestinal microbiota, digestive function, oxidative status, immune responses, and product quality; however, both the magnitude and direction of these effects vary with botanical source, chemotype, formulation, dose, basal diet, bird type, and environmental conditions. This narrative review evaluates the functional roles and molecular mechanisms of PFAs, formulation and delivery technologies, omics-based approaches, safety and regulatory considerations, and key evidence gaps. A dedicated Kuwait and Gulf-region perspective is incorporated to consider how heat stress, water and feed constraints, and local botanical resources may shape research priorities and commercial translation. Regional observations are clearly distinguished from evidence obtained in general poultry studies. Future research should prioritize standardized experimental frameworks, quantitative dose-response relationships, direct measurements of intestinal delivery and bioavailability, long-term commercial validation, and appropriately validated artificial-intelligence tools for precision nutrition.