Dietary Cyperus rotundus Oil Modulates Digestive Enzyme Activity, Cecal Bacterial Counts, Antioxidant Status, and Growth Performance in Ross 308 Broilers

Cyperus rotundus contains bioactive compounds with potential antioxidant and antimicrobial properties; however, its effects as a dietary phytogenic additive in broiler chickens remain insufficiently characterized. This study evaluated the effects of dietary C. rotundus oil on digestive enzyme activities, cecal bacterial populations, hematological and serum biochemical indices, antioxidant and immune-related responses, growth performance, and carcass characteristics in Ross 308 broilers. A total of 300 one-week-old broiler chickens were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments, with five replicate cages of 12 birds each. Birds received a basal diet without supplementation (control) or the basal diet supplemented with C. rotundus oil at 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, or 0.8 g/kg diet. Dietary Cyperus rotundus oil affected digestive enzyme activities, with responses varying among enzymes and inclusion levels ( P <0.001), with amylase activity reaching its highest value at 0.4 g/kg, whereas lipase and protease activities showed their highest numerical values at 0.6 and 0.8 g/kg, respectively. Cecal E. coli , coliform, and Salmonella spp. counts decreased, whereas Lactobacillus counts increased, particularly at intermediate inclusion levels ( P <0.001). Supplementation also affected selected hematological, serum biochemical, immune-related, and antioxidant indices, including reductions in malondialdehyde and increases in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione ( P <0.05). Growth performance improved without a significant change in feed intake, with favorable responses generally observed at 0.4 and 0.6 g/kg. Dressing percentage increased, whereas abdominal fat percentage decreased in supplemented birds. Overall, dietary C. rotundus oil was associated with changes in intestinal, physiological, and productive responses in broiler chickens, although the magnitude and direction of these responses varied among inclusion levels and measured traits.