Abstract

Background: Salmonella Enteritidis is a major foodborne pathogen and affects the poultry industry as well. Aim: This study aimed to find out how well extracts of Cordia myxa (C. myxa) and curcumin protect chickens from Salmonella Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) infection. Method: We bred 75 newly hatched Ros 308s after ten days. The negative control (NC) was the only group that was not infected. The other four groups of broiler chicks in each group were infected by 1 × 107 cfu S. Enteritidis 147, which is known to be resistant to nalidixic acid. Group 3 received a standard feed supplemented with curcumin at 400 mg/kg. Group 4 received a standard diet and 500 mg/kg of extract in drinking water; and lastly, Group 5 received a standard feed supplemented with 400 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of extract in drinking water. Results: The obtained results showed that broilers that were infected with S. enteritidis and given curcumin and C. myxia did better in terms of body weight, IgG, and IgA levels than the positive untreated group. In particular, C. myxia was better than curcumin in IgA. Even though curcumin or mixed therapy raised GSH, it also decreased the number of heterophils (heterophilia) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-8 and TNF-α). This happened because the number of white blood cells and lymphocytes were reduced in the groups that got curcumin or C. myxa. The number of goblet cells also was raised. The intestinal villi stayed the same. Conclusion: The combination of C. myxa and curcumin inhibits the growth of S. Enteritidis, provides antioxidants, reduces free radicals, and improves intestinal tissue.

Key words: Curcumin, Cordia myxa, Salmonella, inflammatory cytokines