Glycyrrhiza uralensis–Atractylodes macrocephala combination in broilers: growth performance, immunity, and gut microbiota
GU-AM combination supplementation was reported to favor growth performance, immune markers, and intestinal health parameters in broiler chickens, but evidence derives from a preclinical animal study without retrievable primary numerical results in the transmitted text.
| Outcome | Grade | Direction | Effect | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Growth performance (body weight gain) | D | — Insufficient | não reportado no texto disponível | 1 |
| Feed conversion ratio | D | — Insufficient | não reportado no texto disponível | 1 |
| Immune function (serum markers) | D | — Insufficient | não reportado no texto disponível | 1 |
| Intestinal health (villus morphology) | D | — Insufficient | não reportado no texto disponível | 1 |
| Cecal microbiota composition | D | — Insufficient | não reportado no texto disponível | 1 |
| Intestinal metabolites | D | — Insufficient | não reportado no texto disponível | 1 |
| Intestinal inflammatory markers | D | — Insufficient | não reportado no texto disponível | 1 |
Context
Restrictions on antibiotic growth promoters in intensive poultry production drive demand for phytogenic alternatives. GU and AM are traditional Chinese medicine herbs with described anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory bioactives. Their combination follows the TCM herbal compatibility principle targeting synergistic efficacy.
What the study showed
The full text provided corresponds predominantly to the introduction and discussion sections; primary numerical data (means, SDs, 95% CIs, p-values) were not included in the transmitted excerpt. The narrative indicates GU-AM combination favorably affects growth, immunity, and intestinal health, mediated by microbiota and metabolite shifts. Without tabulated results, absolute and relative numbers or effect sizes cannot be reported.
How it was done
Experimental study in broiler chickens published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2026). The design appears to be a multi-group controlled experiment (control, GU alone, AM alone, GU-AM combination) with cecal microbiota and metabolomic assessment. Sample size, exact duration, and randomization criteria are absent from the provided text.
Effect magnitude
Effect size not quantifiable from the available excerpt; no 95% CI was reported in the transmitted material.
Limitations
Animal model (broiler chickens): direct applicability to humans or other species is absent without translational studies. The received full text contains no results section with primary data, precluding formal risk-of-bias assessment (RoB 2 or SYRCLE for animal studies). Single-laboratory, unregistered study raises risk of selective outcome reporting. The microbiota–performance causal mechanism is inferred, not experimentally established.
In clinical practice
This study does not support clinical recommendations for human use. In veterinary/poultry science context, data are insufficient to recommend GU-AM dose, ratio, or protocol without access to complete quantitative results. Human health professionals must not extrapolate these findings.
What is still missing
Studies with complete primary results, prospective registration, power calculations, and formal risk-of-bias assessment are required. Dose-response and toxicological safety studies are mandatory steps before any clinical translation.