Effect of dietary turmeric (Curcuma longa) on serum cholesterol in Jabalpur colour layer birds

Abstract

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a medicinal plant, is extensively used in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha medicine as a home remedy for various diseases. The normal level of blood cholesterol in human beings is 150-250mg/dl but when its level rises to more than 250mg/dl, it may lead to cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, hypertension and coronary heart disease. Hypocholestremic effect of turmeric has been widely used in human beings and rats. However, its use in poultry has not been extensively studied. The present study was planned to know the effect of turmeric powder on serum cholesterol of poultry birds. The study was conducted on 30 Jabalpur colour birds of 32 weeks age. Thirty healthy birds were randomly divided into 5 groups with 6 birds in each group. One group C was kept as control and other four groups, T1-T4 were kept as treatment groups and were supplemented with turmeric powder @1.5 (T1), 3.0 (T2) 4.5 (T3) and 6g (T4) /kg of feed, respectively. Two ml blood was collected from all experimental birds with all aseptic precautions and serum was separated for serum cholesterol and HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol estimation. The result of study indicated maximum reduction in serum cholesterol, LDL and VLDL cholesterol whereas maximum increase in serum HDL cholesterol in T­3 on day 56.