The effects of red chili powder dietary supplementation on the performance, hematobiochemical indices, oxidative status, and DNA damage in broiler chickens fed aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) contaminated diets were studied. Two hundred and forty Cobb 500 breed day-old broiler chicks were randomly distributed into control group (CONT), 0.5 mg/kg AFB1-exposed group (AFTB), 0.5 g/kg red chili pericarp powder supplementation alongside the 0.5 mg/kg AFB1 exposed group (RCPA), and 0.5 g/kg red chili seed powder supplementation alongside the 0.5 mg/kg AFB 1 exposed group (RCSA). The red chili supplementation, in both pericarp powder and seed powder, positively influenced broiler performance by improving ( P < 0.05) weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio, with a reduction in mortality rates compared to the AFTB group. Hematological indices showed that AFB1 exposure decreased ( P < 0.05) the red blood cell count, packed cell volume, and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, but the red chili supplementation mitigated these reductions. Additionally, total white blood cell counts were maintained ( P > 0.05) in red chili-supplemented groups compared to CONT. Red chili supplementation increased ( P < 0.05) the total protein and globulin concentrations and reduced ( P < 0.05) liver enzyme levels compared to the AFTB group. The oxidative enzyme levels in RCPA and RCSA were similar ( P > 0.05) to CONT groups. The red chili supplementations counteracted DNA damage, as reflected by similar ( P > 0.05) 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels recorded in RCPA, RCSA, and CONT groups levels. These findings suggest that 0.5 g/kg red chili supplementation has the potential to ameliorate the adverse effects of AFB 1 exposure on broiler chickens, improving their performance and health.
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