In vivo Antioxidant Activity and Haematological Effect of Powdered Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) Supplement in Male Wistar Rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the haematological effect and degree of in vivo antioxidant activity of powdered turmeric supplement using wistar rats as model. Fifteen male animals were randomly divided into 3 groups - Group A (Control) received 1ml of distilled water, Group B received 500 mg/kg turmeric and Group C received 1000 mg/kg turmeric by oral gavage daily for 28 days. On day 29, blood samples were collected for haematology and Antioxidant assay. Haematology was done by estimating the level of haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte count, leucocyte count, platelet count and differential leucocyte count (Neutrophils, lymphocytes, Eosinophil, and monocytes). The antioxidant activities were estimated by assaying for the oxidative biomarkers such as Malondiadehyde (MDA), Catalase (CA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione (GSH). Turmeric had no significant (P> 0.05) effect on blood parameters as well as serum SOD, GSH and CA level relative to the control. However, turmeric caused a significant (p<0.05) reduction in serum MDA levels. It is therefore concluded that powdered turmeric supplement as used in this study, has in vivo antioxidant activity with no effect on blood parameters.