Application of Nanotechnology in Enhancing the Anticoccidiosis Effect of Herbal Extracts in Poultry: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background/Objective- Coccidiosis, a disease caused by Eimeria protozoa, is a major challenge in the poultry industry worldwide, causing significant economic losses annually. Long-term dependence on chemical anticoccidial drugs has led to widespread drug resistance and concerns about drug residues in poultry products. Hence, the search for safe and effective alternatives, such as plant extracts, has intensified. However, the clinical application of these extracts often faces limitations such as poor solubility, low bioavailability, and instability. This systematic review aims to investigate the superiority of nanoencapsulation technology in overcoming these obstacles and increasing the therapeutic efficacy of anticoccidial plant extracts.

Method- This study was conducted as a systematic review with a comprehensive search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Keywords related to nanotechnology, plant extracts, coccidiosis, and poultry were used. Inclusion criteria were articles published in English between January 2018 and December 2024 that evaluated the effects of plant nanoformulations in in vitro, in vivo, or clinical trials on poultry. Data were extracted and analyzed according to the PRISMA protocol.

Results- Of the 557 identified articles, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. The findings conclusively demonstrated that nanoencapsulation of plant extracts (using carriers such as lipid and polymer nanoparticles and nanoemulsions) significantly increased solubility, improved stability, controlled release, and ultimately increased bioavailability and therapeutic potency of these compounds. Compared to traditional forms of extracts, nanoformulations showed a significant reduction in the number of excreted oocysts, improved growth indices, and reduced intestinal lesions in infected chickens. These formulations also had comparable or even superior efficacy to conventional chemical drugs at lower doses.

Conclusion- Nanoformulations appear to be a promising strategy to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of anticoccidial plant extracts. This technology has great potential to provide a potent and natural alternative to chemical drugs that can help reduce drug resistance and safety concerns. However, further toxicological research, pharmacokinetic studies, and the development of cost-effective methods for industrial-scale production are necessary to enable the widespread application of these nanocarriers in the poultry industry.