Background Newcastle disease (ND) is widely regarded as one of the most virulent and destructive viral infections that
create chaos in the poultry industry and cause widespread epidemics and consequentially debilitating economic losses on a
global scale in terms of chicken products. The current experiment evaluates the protective effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra ( G.
glabra) against the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in chickens. Ninety (90) 1-day-old SPF chicks were treated according to
ethical approval (BUFVTM 05-02-22) as follows (1) non-treated non-challenged control group; (2) NDV group: Challenged
with genotype VII ND virus; and (3) LE/NDV group: Challenged with the virus and intermittently treated with powdered
extract of G. glabra roots (LE) in drinking water (0.5 g/L) before and after viral challenge.
Result The water medication of NDV-challenged chicks has resulted in a significant decrease in the severity of clinical
symptoms, morbidity, and mortality rates, as well as the quantity of virus shed, compared with the NDV group. Treatment
with LE has led to a significant reduction in serum ALT and AST activities, blood glucose level, urea, and creatinine, and
significant restoration of serum proteins. In addition, the treatment has resulted in a decrease in MDA and NO levels, as well
as an increase in T-SOD and catalase activities compared with untreated challenged chicks. LE decreased IFN-γ and TLR-3
gene expression in comparison with the NDV group. The treated challenged birds had fewer macroscopically detectable
lesions in their respiratory, digestive, and lymphoid organs than the untreated challenged birds. Microscopically, the LE/
NDV group exhibited mild to moderate pathological changes in the respiratory and digestive systems as well as lymphoid
tissues, in contrast to the NDV group, which exhibited severe pathological changes. Furthermore, molecular docking assess
ment proved the efficacy of G. glabra against viral proliferation and invasion.
Conclusion We concluded that Glycyrrhiza glabra powdered extract at a dose of 0.5 g/L drinking water can effectively miti
gate the debilitating effects of Newcastle disease in chickens. |
