Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder supplementation on the production performance in broilers: A review

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a well-known herb possessing several health benefits. Steroidal alkaloids and lactones are the main active constituents of the plant. It consists of following properties viz. adaptogenic, antidepressant, liver-tonic, antioxidant, immune modulator, immuneadjuvant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-metastatic. Supplementation of Ashwagandha in diet of poultry birds improves feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, hematological profile, immunological status, neuro-protective, rejuvenate muscles, lipid profile, gut microflora and intestinal morphometry. The effect of birds fed ration supplemented with Ashwagandha at different levels gradually improved feed intake, body weight, feed efficiency and nutrient metabolizability