This study evaluated whether aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves and Nigella sativa (NS) seeds could mitigate the negative effects of heat stress in broiler chickens. A total of 240 day-old Hubbard chicks were randomly allocated to six treatments: a thermoneutral control (NC), a heat-stressed control (PC), three MO–NS combinations at the rate of 110mg/kg (MO40NS110), 75mg/kg (MO75NS75), and 40mg/kg (MO110NS40), and a heat-stressed group supplemented with vitamin C (250 mg/kg) as a reference antioxidant. Birds in the heat-stress treatments were exposed to 34 ± 1°C for 8 hours daily from day 22 to day 35, and all herbal preparations were administered through drinking water. Performance parameters—including body-weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio—along with nutrient digestibility and intestinal morphology were assessed. Broilers receiving the MO75NS75 mixture or vitamin C exhibited significant improvements (P<0.05) in growth and feed efficiency compared with the PC group. The MO75NS75 treatment yielded one of the highest final body weights, an improved FCR, and better crude-protein digestibility, values comparable to those of thermoneutral birds. Histological evaluations showed increased villus height and surface area in birds supplemented with MO and NS, with the greatest enhancements observed in the MO75NS75 group. Additionally, serum malondialdehyde levels—an indicator of oxidative stress—were markedly lower in both the MO75NS75 and vitamin C groups relative to the PC group. Overall, the findings suggest that combining Moringa oleifera and Nigella sativa extracts exerts a synergistic protective effect against heat stress by improving growth performance, antioxidant status, nutrient utilization, and intestinal health in broilers.

To Cite This Article: Ahmad A, Tahir M, Khan NA, Chand N, Hameed R and Khan RU, 2026. Impact of moringa oleifera and nigella sativa aqueous extracts on growth, digestibility, oxidative stress, gut histology, and cecal microbiota in broilers under heat stress. Pak Vet J, 46(2): 453-459. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2026.033