Biochemical and immunological response of Ocimum sanctum in chickens experimentally infected with Escherichia coli

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Ocimum sanctum on Escherichia coli challenged broiler chickens. Ocimum sanctum leaf (OSL) powder was given @5g/kg in feed and the chicks were inoculated with E. coli O78 (@10⁷ CFU/0.5 ml) by the intraperitoneal route. Blood was collected from five birds from each group at 0, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post infection (DPI) for biochemical and immunological studies. The results demonstrated that, there was increase in mean serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase activities and a decrease in total protein and albumin concentrations in the infected groups. However, the changes in biochemical values i.e. ALT, AST, total protein and albumin was of lower magnitude in OSL supplemented infected group as compared to non-supplemented infected group. The E. coli specific antibody titre in OSL supplemented infected group was significantly higher in comparison to non- supplemented infected group. Delayed type hypersensitivity response against DNCB antigen was considerably higher in OSL supplemented groups as compared to control groups. Therefore, O. sanctum resulted in reduction in the severity of the disease and enhanced the humoral and cellular immune responses attributed to its antibacterial, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory properties.