Author(s):

Rishi Kant, RP Diwakar and Pramod Kumar

Abstract: The present study was conducted to investigate the protective efficacy of aqueous extracts of root and leaves of W.somnifera (Ashwagandha) against monocrtophos toxicity in broilers. Seventy two day old broiler chicks, were divided randomly and equally into six groups viz. Group I (Untreated Control), group II(MCP Control), W. somnifera root extract was given daily@ 100 and 300(mg/kg b.wt., orally) to group III and IV respectively in drinking water, W. somnifera leaf extract was given daily@ 100 and 300(mg/kg b.wt., orally)to group V and VI respectively in drinking water. On 21 day group II,III, IV, V andVI were administered single oral dose of MCP @ 1.34mg/Kg b.wt.(1/5^th of LD₅₀). There was no significant difference in haematological parameters in any of the experimental groups of birds after 1 day of single monocrotophos treatment except TEC which was significantly reduced in group II in comparison to group I birds. After 7 days there was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the values of Hb, TEC and % lymphocytes in group II birds in comparison to group I birds. After 7 days W. somnifera root and leaf extract could not change the altered value of Hb to normal in groups III to VI, however leaf extract increased the depleted values of TEC and of % lymphocytes in group V and VI. Monocrotophos significantly increased the activities of ALT, AST and ALP after 1 day of monocrotophos exposure in group II in comparison to group I birds. W. somnifera root and leaf extract significantly decreased (P<0.05) the values of these enzymes in the birds of group III to VI. In addition to that, root extract also reduced the value of serum creatinine, total protein and albumin in group IV in comparison to group II. Other parameters like globulin level, A:G ratio and activity of LDH remain unchanged. After 7 days of monocrotophos treatment activities of ALT, LDH and creatinine level were increased significantly in group II as compared to group I birds. The AST and ALP activities were unaltered in group II as compared to group I birds. Root and leaf extract showed their potential by decreasing the activity of ALT significantly in group III to VI birds in comparison to group II. However, the extract could not ameliorate the toxic effect of monocrotophos on LDH activity and creatinine level. The other biochemical parameters were unaltered

Pages: 2309-2312  |  3012 Views  283 Downloads

Download (455KB)