A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation of tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) root powder at different levels on plasma enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidant status of heat stressed (HS) broilers and to compare its efficacy with the synthetic antioxidants viz., vitamin E and selenium. A total of 120 broiler chicks were divided into 5 equal groups. The birds in group 1 (G-I) were fed basal diet without any supplement whereas those in G-II, G-I 11, G-I V and G-V were supplemented with vitamin E @200 mg/kg, vitamin E (200 mg/kg) and Se (0.15 mg/kg), tulsi @ 0.25% and 0.5%, respectively in addition to basal diet. Additionally, a group of 24 chicks was raised separately in stress-free environment as control. The activities of enzymatic (glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase) and non-enzymatic (reduced glutathione) antioxidants were lower (P<0.01) in G-I (heat stressed) birds compared to control group. G-III showed the highest (P<0.01) response in improving antioxidant status followed by G-II. Tulsi root powder supplementation at either dose significantly (P<0.01) improved the antioxidant status of heat stressed birds. Tulsi root powder at a level of 0.5% improved the antioxidant enzyme activities and most of them werecomparable with supplementation of vitamin E either alone or in combination with Se. Study indicated that tulsi root powder supplementation at 0.5% was effective in improving the antioxidant status of heat stressed broiler chicken.
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