Effect of adding wild chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) powder to rabbit diets on certain blood biochemical parameters

Abstract

The experiment was conducted on 27 rabbits in the city of Sirte during the spring of 2025 (from April 3 to May 13, 2025). The rabbits were divided into three treatment groups, with 9 rabbits per group distributed across three replicates (3 rabbits per replicate): T1 (control) received a standard diet without additives; T2 received a standard diet supplemented with chamomile powder at a rate of 0.4 g/kg of feed; and T3 received a standard diet supplemented with chamomile powder at a rate of 0.6 g/kg of feed. The experiment lasted 40 days. Three rabbits were randomly selected from each treatment group, and blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture. Levels of glucose, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, potassium, and sodium were measured. The results showed a significant difference (P<0.05) in the levels of glucose, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, sodium, and potassium in the treated groups (T2 and T3) compared to the control group (T1), whereas no significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in urea levels.