Immunomodulatory Effect if Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) in Iron Induced Oxidative Stress in Broilers

Free radicals are continuously produced by the body and are also generated through environmental pollution, radiation, drugs, chemicals, pesticides, etc. Iron is the most common cofactor within the oxygen handling biological machinery and interacts with molecular oxygen and generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) through Haber-Weiss and Fenton reactions,leading to oxidative stress. Recently, there is an increasing search for potential drugs especially of plant origin that are capable of modifying immune responses with comparatively less side effects. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is a popularly known traditional herb and possess numerous medicinal values. The toxic effects of Iron (FeSO4 at 0.5%) and its amelioration with Ocimum sanctum powder at 0.1% in broiler chicken was investigated. In the present study, chicks of day-old age belonging to Vencobb strain were assigned to six groups (I,II,III) consisting of fifteen chicks in each group. Group I served as control (basal diet) and birds in group II were given FeSO4 at 0.5%) in basal diet for 42 days. Group III was given FeSO4 containing diet for the first 4 weeks (28 days) and subsequently treated with Ocimum sanctum powder at 0.1% level in feed till the end of the 6^th week. Birds were vaccinated with ND virus and serum was assessed for humoral immune response (HI) and Cell mediated immune response (CMI) was assessed as increase in IDF thickness after and before PHA-P injection. Supplementation of Ocimum sanctum showed improved HI and CMI responses compare with other groups. The study indicated that Ocimum sanctum could be used as natural supplement to improve immune response in broiler chicken under the stress condition.