The effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder on liver function, serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and antioxidant status biomarkers in male Japanese quails fed a cadmium-contaminated diet

Environmental pollution by cadmium (Cd) is increasing. The entry of this heavy toxic metal into the food chain is a serious danger to human and animal populations. This study aims to evaluate the effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder (TP) containing 2.96% of total curcuminoides (TCM) in modulating the adverse impacts of Cd in Japanese quail. 180 22-day-old male Japanese quails were randomly divided into six groups for 23 days and fed a basal diet (BD) supplemented with 3 gr/kg TP (containing 88.18 mg of TCM), 5 mg/kg TP (containing 148 mg of TCM), 100 mg/kg Cd, 3 mg/kg TP plus 100 mg/kg Cd, and 5 gr/kg TP and 100 mg/kg Cd. The addition of TP to the Cd-contaminated diet reduced serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-αand IL-6, improved total antioxidant capacity, increased SOD and CAT activity, as well as decreasing MDA concentration. The TP supplementation significantly (p<0.05) reduced the harmful effects of Cd on body weight loss, relative liver weight gain, and total protein concentration, besides increasing serum levels of ALT, AST, and ALP enzymes. The findings of this study suggest that TP may reduce the toxic effects of Cd in Japanese quail by improving antioxidant status and reducing the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The addition of 5 g/kg TP to the Cd-contaminated diet results in more antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties than 3 g/kg TP.