Exploring the interactive impacts of citronellol, thymol, and trans-cinnamaldehyde in broilers: moving toward an improved performance, immunity, gastrointestinal integrity, and Clostridium perfringens resistance.

This article investigates the effects of a dietary blend of essential oils—citronellol, thymol, and trans-cinnamaldehyde (CTC)—on broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens, the causative agent of necrotic enteritis (NE). The study found that supplementing broiler diets with graded levels of the CTC blend, particularly at 900 mg/kg, significantly improved growth performance, enhanced immunity (e.g., increased serum IgA, IgG, and phagocytic activity), and promoted gut integrity by upregulating genes related to mucosal barriers and tight junction proteins. Additionally, CTC supplementation reduced intestinal C. perfringens loads, lowered the expression of bacterial virulence genes (cpe, cnaA, nanI), and modulated inflammatory responses by downregulating proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines while upregulating anti-inflammatory markers. These findings suggest that the CTC essential oils blend may serve as a natural alternative to antibiotics for controlling NE and improving health and productivity in broiler chickens.