Multi-omics analysis reveals the modulatory effects of Moringa oleifera ethanol extract on gut microbiota and metabolic profiles in broilers

Abstract

Background The overuse of antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) in poultry farming has raised global concerns about antimicrobial resistance and food safety, prompting the search for effective natural alternatives. Moringa is rich in bioactive compounds with antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties; however, its effects on the cecal microbiota and metabolome of broiler chickens when administered via drinking water remain unclear. Methods This study employed 16S rDNA sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics to evaluate the effects of Moringa oleifera ethanol extract (MOE) and the broad-spectrum antibiotic bacitracin zinc (BZ) on the cecal microbiota, metabolite profiles, and their correlations in broiler chickens. Results The findings demonstrated MOE did not significantly affect α-diversity but altered β-diversity, resulting in a clear separation from the control and BZ groups. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis identified Lachnospiraceae and Methanobacteriaceae as key differential biomarkers in the MOE group, whereas Deferribacterales was selectively enriched in the BZ group. At the phylum level, MOE enriched the Euryarchaeota, while BZ increased the abundance of potentially pathogenic phyla, including the Desulfobacterota and Proteobacteria. At the genus level, MOE promoted the growth of beneficial genera such as Faecalibacterium, Lachnoclostridium, and Alistipes, whereas BZ exhibited a bidirectional effect, increasing both pathogenic and beneficial groups. Metabolomic analysis revealed that MOE significantly regulated the metabolism of sphingolipids, tryptophan, and polyamines, as well as that of vitamin D3 and nicotinamide, whereas BZ primarily activated lipid metabolism and inhibited arginine-related antioxidant pathways. Correlation analysis further established genus-metabolite networks centered on Lachnoclostridium and Lactobacillus in the MOE group, and Alistipes and Collinsella in the BZ group. Conclusion Overall, MOE is associated with alterations in cecal microbiota and host metabolism by enriching butyrate-producing bacteria and methanogenic archaea, accompanied by extensive metabolic reprogramming involving immune-related and antioxidant pathways.