Supplementations of livestock diets with herbs that have many active
constituents revealed favourable effects as natural feed additives. These compounds
could stimulate nutrient digestion, growth performance, food utilization, enhance
immunological sides and antioxidant status and decrease health disorders. Various
previous reports have employed mixture formulas of herbal with partial enclosure of
licorice. However, the data about using licorice independently is very scared. The
poultry industry faces many epidemiological syndromes; principally, those are
confined to digestive, respiratory and immune system syndromes. Flavonoids and
glycyrrhizin are the main bioactive components in Licorice. The roots of this herb
contain 1-9% glycyrrhizin, which has several pharmacological actions such as antioxidant,
antimicrobial, anti-heat stress, and anti-infective antiviral and antiinflammatory
activities. Licorice extracts (LE) have affirmative impacts on the
management of high incidence ailments, such as the immune system, lung, and liver
disease. Licochalcone A (2-8μg/mL) inhibits cancer cell proliferation by reducing
DNA synthesis in these cells . Moreover, the hepatoprotective effect of LE
(100-300 mg) against CCI4-induced hepatic injury in rats has been observed. Studies
suggested the potential role of LE (0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 g/L of drinking water) in reducing
serum total cholesterol of broiler chicken significantly. Also, the presence of licorice
root extract (0.1 g/d) in the patient diet for 1 mo led to a decrease in plasma triglyceride
(by about 14%) and cholesterol (by about 5%) levels. Moreover, dietary supplementation of LE plays a substantial role in the productive
performance of poultry owing to the improvement of organ development and
stimulating influence on digestion and appetite. Along with its growth promoting
properties, licorice has antioxidant, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and
many more health benefits as enclosed in the current chapter. This chapter highlights
the favourable applications and modern features of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) herb,
including its chemical composition and maintenance of the health status of poultry.
Hence, it will be highly useful for nutritionists, physiologists, pharmacists,
veterinarians, and poultry producers.
Keywords: Health, Licorice, Pharmacological, Poultry, Production.
