A natural plant extract from Rosa roxburghii significantly reduced cellular damage and improved gut health in chickens exposed to deoxynivalenol, a common mold toxin found in poultry feed. According to Gram Research analysis, chickens receiving the plant supplement showed reduced oxidative stress markers and restored antioxidant capacity, while also strengthening their intestinal barrier and balancing immune responses. The extract improved weight gain and feed efficiency even in healthy chickens, suggesting potential benefits for poultry production and food safety.
Researchers discovered that a natural plant extract from Rosa roxburghii can protect chickens from harmful toxins found in contaminated feed. When chickens were given this plant-based supplement, it reduced oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules), boosted their immune system, and improved their gut health. According to Gram Research analysis, the extract worked by strengthening the intestinal barrier and reducing inflammation, even when chickens were exposed to deoxynivalenol, a common mold toxin. This finding could help poultry farmers keep their flocks healthier and safer without relying on medications.
Key Statistics
A 2026 research article published in Poultry Science found that Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides significantly reduced intestinal reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels in broiler chickens exposed to deoxynivalenol, a common feed contaminant.
Broiler chickens receiving Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides supplementation showed improved body weight gain and feed efficiency under normal conditions, while also restoring mitochondrial DNA content when exposed to mold toxin contamination.
The 42-day study demonstrated that Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides upregulated tight junction protein expression in chicken intestines, strengthening the intestinal barrier against toxin-induced damage.
Research showed that the plant extract regulated macrophage immune markers and inhibited excessive cGAS-STING signaling responses in chickens exposed to deoxynivalenol, helping to balance inflammatory responses.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a natural plant extract called Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides could protect chickens from the harmful effects of deoxynivalenol, a toxic mold that commonly contaminates poultry feed.
- Who participated: One-day-old male broiler chickens (a type of chicken raised for meat) that were divided into groups receiving different doses of the plant extract, with some groups also exposed to the mold toxin.
- Key finding: Chickens given the plant extract showed significantly reduced cellular damage, stronger immune responses, and better gut health compared to chickens exposed to the mold toxin alone. The extract also improved weight gain and feed efficiency in healthy chickens.
- What it means for you: This research suggests that natural plant supplements could help protect poultry from common feed contaminants, potentially leading to safer chicken products and healthier flocks. However, this study was conducted in chickens, so results may not directly apply to other animals or humans.
The Research Details
Researchers conducted a controlled experiment with young broiler chickens over 42 days. After a 3-day adjustment period, the chickens were divided into groups receiving different amounts of Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides (a natural plant extract) at doses of 100, 200, and 400 milligrams per kilogram of feed. Some groups also received deoxynivalenol, a mold toxin, at 4 milligrams per kilogram of feed to simulate real-world contamination. The researchers measured multiple health markers including weight gain, feed efficiency, intestinal barrier function, immune responses, and markers of cellular damage throughout the study period.
This research approach is important because it mimics real-world conditions where poultry feed can become contaminated with mycotoxins (toxic compounds produced by molds). By testing the plant extract under both normal and contaminated conditions, researchers could determine whether it provides protective benefits and identify the best dose to use. This type of controlled experiment provides strong evidence for practical applications in poultry farming.
The study used multiple measurable outcomes including body weight, feed conversion, intestinal protein expression, microbiota composition, oxidative stress markers, and immune cell responses. This comprehensive approach strengthens the reliability of findings. The study was published in Poultry Science, a peer-reviewed journal focused on poultry research. However, the specific sample size was not provided in the available information, which limits our ability to fully assess statistical power.
What the Results Show
Under normal feeding conditions without mold toxin exposure, chickens receiving the plant extract showed improved body weight gain and better feed efficiency, meaning they gained more weight while eating less feed. The extract also increased the expression of tight junction proteins, which are like the locks and seals that hold the intestinal barrier together, preventing harmful substances from leaking through. Additionally, the plant extract enhanced the chickens’ mucosal immune defense, which is the first line of protection in the digestive system. When chickens were exposed to the mold toxin deoxynivalenol, the plant extract significantly reduced harmful reactive oxygen species (unstable molecules that damage cells) and malondialdehyde (a marker of cellular damage). The extract restored the chickens’ total antioxidant capacity, which is their natural ability to neutralize harmful molecules and protect cells from damage. Importantly, the plant extract also restored mitochondrial DNA content, indicating that it protected the energy-producing structures within cells from toxin-induced damage.
The plant extract reduced activation of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, which is an immune response that can become overactive and cause excessive inflammation. The extract also regulated macrophage markers associated with M1 and M2 types, helping to balance the immune response between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory states. The extract modified the composition of bacteria in the small intestine (jejunal microbiota) in beneficial ways without significantly reducing overall microbial diversity, suggesting it promotes beneficial bacteria while maintaining a healthy microbial community.
Previous research has shown that Rosa roxburghii has antioxidant and immune-boosting properties, but this is the first systematic study examining whether it can protect against deoxynivalenol-induced intestinal damage in poultry. The findings align with existing knowledge about how antioxidants and immune modulators work, while providing new evidence that this specific plant extract is effective against a real-world poultry health threat. The results support the broader scientific understanding that natural plant compounds can help animals cope with mycotoxin exposure.
The study was conducted only in broiler chickens, so results may not apply to other poultry species, other animals, or humans. The specific sample size for each group was not provided, making it difficult to assess the statistical strength of the findings. The study examined only one type of mold toxin (deoxynivalenol) and one plant extract, so results may not generalize to other toxins or plant sources. The research was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, which may differ from real farm environments where multiple stressors affect poultry simultaneously.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, poultry farmers may consider supplementing feed with Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides at 200 to 400 milligrams per kilogram of feed to improve gut health and protect against mold toxin exposure. This recommendation has moderate confidence because the study showed consistent benefits across multiple health markers, though it was conducted only in chickens. Farmers should consult with veterinarians before implementing this strategy and monitor flock health outcomes.
Poultry farmers and producers should care about this research because mold contamination is a common and costly problem in poultry production. Feed manufacturers and animal nutritionists may be interested in incorporating this plant extract into commercial poultry feeds. Consumers concerned about food safety and poultry welfare may appreciate the potential for natural protective measures. This research is less directly relevant to people who don’t work with poultry, though it contributes to broader understanding of how natural compounds protect against toxins.
Based on the 42-day study period, improvements in body weight gain and feed efficiency would likely become apparent within 2 to 4 weeks of supplementation. Improvements in intestinal barrier function and immune responses may occur within similar timeframes. However, long-term benefits and optimal dosing strategies would require additional research in real farm settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this plant extract protect chickens from mold toxins in feed?
Yes, Rosa roxburghii polysaccharides significantly reduced cellular damage and improved immune responses in chickens exposed to deoxynivalenol, a common mold toxin. The extract strengthened the intestinal barrier and restored antioxidant capacity at doses of 200 to 400 milligrams per kilogram of feed.
What dose of Rosa roxburghii extract works best for poultry?
The study tested three doses: 100, 200, and 400 milligrams per kilogram of feed. All doses showed benefits, but 200 to 400 milligrams per kilogram appeared most effective for protecting against mold toxin damage and improving overall performance in broiler chickens.
How does this plant extract protect against mycotoxin damage?
The extract works by reducing harmful reactive oxygen species (unstable molecules that damage cells), restoring the body’s natural antioxidant defenses, strengthening the intestinal barrier with tight junction proteins, and balancing immune responses to prevent excessive inflammation.
Would this plant extract work for other animals besides chickens?
This study examined only broiler chickens, so results may not apply to other poultry species, livestock, or humans. Additional research would be needed to determine effectiveness in other animals, though the biological mechanisms suggest potential broader applications.
Can consumers benefit from eating chicken raised with this supplement?
Potentially, if the supplement improves chicken health and reduces mycotoxin exposure, consumers may receive safer poultry products. However, this study focused on chicken health outcomes rather than measuring toxin levels in the final meat product.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Users managing poultry operations could track daily feed consumption, weekly body weight gain, and monthly health indicators (mortality rate, disease incidence) to monitor the effectiveness of Rosa roxburghii supplementation compared to baseline periods without supplementation.
- Poultry managers could implement a feed supplementation protocol by adding the plant extract at the recommended dose to their regular feed mix, then systematically monitor flock performance metrics weekly to assess whether the supplement improves outcomes in their specific operation.
- Establish a baseline of current flock performance metrics (weight gain, feed efficiency, health issues) for 4 weeks, then introduce the plant extract supplementation and continue monitoring the same metrics for 8 to 12 weeks to determine if meaningful improvements occur in the specific farm environment.
This research was conducted in broiler chickens and may not apply to other animal species or humans. The study was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions that may differ from real farm environments. Before implementing any feed supplementation strategy, poultry farmers should consult with veterinarians and animal nutritionists. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional veterinary or nutritional advice. Always follow local regulations regarding feed additives and supplements.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.