Cadmium induced oxidative stress-mediated pathophysiological alterations in chickens and their amelioration by polyherbal mixture enriched feed

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate sub-acute toxicity of cadmium (Cd) in broiler chickens and its amelioration by polyherbal mixture enriched feed (PHMEF). Thirty broiler chickens were divided into five groups. Chickens of group 1 were kept as control (C1). Chickens of group T1, T2, T3 and T4 were exposed to cadmium (as cadmium chloride) through drinking water (100 ppm), Vitamin C with Vitamin E (250 mg/kg each) in feed + Cd in drinking water (100 ppm), PHMEF (2%) alone, and PHMEF (2%) + cadmium in drinking water (100 ppm) for 28 days, respectively. Haematology, serum biochemical parameters, oxidative stress parameters like superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced-glutathione and malondialdehyde, cadmium accumulation in organs like kidney, liver and thigh muscle, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of ileum, and histopathological examination of kidney, liver and intestine were performed to evaluate toxicity of cadmium and ameliorating potential of PHMEF in broiler chickens. PHMEF modifies biochemical parameters, and oxidative stress markers. There was a significant reduction of cadmium accumulations in the PHMEF treated group. Polyherbal mixture enriched feed showed ameliorating effect against cadmium induced toxicity due to antioxidant effect as well as effect on accumulation of the cadmium in chickens.