Effect of cadmium on organ biomarkers and evaluation of certain adaptogens in broilers

Day-old male broiler chicks were randomly divided into 8 groups consisting of 10 chicks in each. Groups 1 and 2 were maintained as plain control and cadmium (100 ppm in feed) toxic control, respectively, for 6 weeks. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were maintained on a combination of cadmium along with Emblica officinalis (500 ppm in feed), vitamin E (300 ppm in feed) and polyherbal formulation (1 g/kg feed), respectively, for 6 weeks. Groups 6, 7 and 8 were maintained on cadmium for the first 4 weeks and on E. officinalis, vitamin E and polyherbal formulation, respectively, during the subsequent 2 weeks without cadmium. The biochemical parameters such as alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea and creatinine were significantly (P<0.05) elevated in toxic control. These parameters revealed improvement following treatment with E. officinalis, vitamin E and polyherbal formulation in groups 6, 7 and 8, respectively. Thus, it is concluded that supplementation of E. officinalis, vitamin E and polyherbal formulation in feed is useful in preventing and treating the cadmium-induced toxic effects.