No abstract

Background: The gout is commonly reported in birds and causes severe economic losses to the farmers. Hence to prevent the gout occurrence P.betle L. herb was selected and its antigout potential was studied in comparison with Allopurinol.Methods: The biological experiment was conducted with 120 broiler chicks and was divided into 5 treatment groups of 8 birds each with triplicate study for six weeks. The groups were control (T1), gout control (T2), Allopurinol (T3), P.betle L. - 10 g/kg (T4) and P.betle L. - 12.5 g/kg of feed (T5). The gout was induced using toxic dose of sodium bicarbonate in water (20 g/litre). The clinical signs and production performance were recorded and gross and histopathology studies were conducted. Serum biochemical parameters viz., uric acid and creatinine were periodically estimated (day 10, 15, 18 and 42 of trial) and anti-oxidant and xanthine oxidase enzyme activity were measured.Result: The production performances and the antioxidant activity were improved in P.betle L. groups and even better than Allopurinol. Also progressive reduction of uric acid and equivalent suppression of xanthine oxidase activity as that of Allopurinol were observed. Hence P.betle L. herb can be used effectively in the prevention of gout in birds.