RETRACTED: Synergistic effects of thymoquinone and curcumin on immune response and anti-viral activity against avian influenza virus (H9N2) in turkeys

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine the possible effects of thymoquinone (TQ) and curcumin (Cur) on immune-response and pathogenesis of H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) in turkeys. The experiment was performed on 75 non-vaccinated mixed-sex turkey poults, divided into 5 experimental groups (A, B, C, D, and E) of 15 birds each. Group A was kept as non-infected and a non-treated negative control (ctrl group) while group B was kept as infected and non-treated positive control (H9N2 group). Turkeys in groups A and B received normal commercial feed while turkeys in groups C and D received TQ, and Cur respectively, and group E concurrently received TQ and Cur from d one through the entire experiment period. All groups were challenged intra-nasally with H9N2 AIV (A/chicken/Pakistan/10RS3039-284-48/2010) at the fourth wk of age except group A. Infected turkeys showed clinical signs of different severity, showing the most prominent disease signs in turkeys in group B. All infected turkeys showed positive results for virus shedding; however, the pattern of virus shedding was different, and with turkeys in group B showing more pronounced virus secretion than the turkeys in the other groups receiving different levels of TQ and Cur. Moreover, significantly higher antibody titer against H9N2 AIV in turkeys shows the immunomodulatory nature of TQ and Cur. Similarly, increased cytokine gene expression suggests antiviral behavior of TQ and Cur especially in combination, leading to suppressed pathogenesis of H9N2 viruses. However, reduced virus shedding and enhanced immune responses were more pronounced in those turkeys receiving TQ and Cur concurrently. This study showed that supplements of TQ and Cur in combination would significantly enhance immune responsiveness and suppress pathogenicity of influenza viruses in turkeys.

Carotenoids: biochemistry, pharmacology and treatment

“…The new curcumin derivative, tetrahydrocurcumin, was shown to be more active than curcumin in preventing the development of aberrant crypt foci and cell proliferation (Kim et al ., ,b; Chauhan, ). Furthermore, thymoquinone and curcumin have been shown to have a synergistic inhibitory effect on the influenza virus induced by increasing the efficiency of the immune response and this effect plays a significant role in diminishing the pathogenic effects of H9N2 in turkeys (Umar et al ., ). Curcumin was found to induce the activation of AMPK in human ovarian cancer cells (CaOV3 cells) in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner (~25–50 μM of curcumin; time: 15–120 min), as curcumin activated p38 phosphorylation that is an important downstream signal of AMPK, and elicited CaOV3 cell death (Pan et al ., ).…”

Curcumin alleviates macrophage activation and lung inflammation induced by influenza virus infection through inhibiting the NF‐κB signaling pathway

“…Even the anti‐inflammatory ability of curcumin was well investigated, its anti‐IAV function studies are very limited. Umar et al . utilized turkeys to study the possible effects of curcumin on immuneresponse and pathogenesis of H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV).…”

“…Umar et al 23 utilized turkeys to study the possible effects of curcumin on immuneresponse and pathogenesis of H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV). They found that in cooperation with thymoquinone, curcumin could be able to dramatically improve the immune responses and restrain the pathogenesis of influenza viruses in turkeys.…”

EARLY STUDY THE POTENCY OF TURMERIC (Curcuma domestica Val.) AS IMMUNOSTIMULATOR FOR LAYERS CHICKENS AGAINST AVIAN INFLUENZA (AI) VACCINE

“…is a plant in which the main active ingredient is curcumin. Several studies have shown that curcmin has an immunostimulatory effect;this can be proved by Umar et al's [2] study which gave curcumin in turkey feed. All groups were challenged with H9N2 Avian Influenza virus, and the treatment group showed mild clinical symptoms, the lowest viral shedding and higher titer than the control group.…”