Nigerian Journal of Science and Environment, Vol. 14 (1) (2016) 25 A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE ANTITODAL EFFECTS OF GARLIC (ALLIUM SATIVUM) AND GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE) ON BIRDS EXPOSED TO CYANIDE H. E. Kadiri Department of Biochemistry Delta State University Abraka, Delta State. Nigeria. E-mail: hekad@yahoo.com. Tel: +234806046536. ABSTRACT This study was based on the antitodal effect of aqueous garlic (Allium sativum) and ginger extract (Zingiber officinale) in broiler birds given different concentrations of cyanide by gavage for 6 weeks. A total of twenty four birds were used in the study. The birds were divided into 4 groups labeled Group A (normal control), Group B (cyanide control), Group C (cyanide and garlic) and Group D (cyanide and Ginger) respectively. Each group contains six birds each. Each bird was weighed and cyanide was administered according to their body weight every morning. The levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was determined calorimetrically. The levels of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase was also determined in the liver and organs of the birds by standard biochemical procedures. The results obtained showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in serum AST and ALT level in group C and D birds when compared with group A (normal control). However a significant decrease (P>0.05) in AST and ALT activity was recorded in Group C and D when compared with group B (cyanide control); similar result was recorded in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities. A significant decrease in lipid peroxidation level was also recorded in the liver and kidney of group C and D birds when compared with group B birds. Catalase and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity was also significantly higher in the liver and kidney of Group C birds when compared with group B birds. The results obtained from the study indicated that most of the investigated parameters were significantly remedied in the cyanide treated with garlic and ginger groups when compared with the untreated groups. It was also observed from the result of this research that garlic and gingers has promising roles and worthy to be considered as natural antidote for cyanide intoxication. Key words: Cyanide intoxication, garlic extract, ginger extract, antidotes. INTRODUCTION Cyanide is a very fast acting poison capable of killing a person within minutes if they are exposed to a lethal dose without prompt first aid treatment. Cyanide, in the environment, has been associated with many intoxication episodes in humans and animals resulting from the ingestion of foods, environmental pollution, chemical war, suicide, homicide, occupational factors and use of some drugs such as nitroprusside and laetrile (Wu et al., 2001). Poisoning occurs through inhalation, skin absorption or swallowing. Migratory birds have suffered from cyanide poisoning asso- ciated with heap leaching facilities and tailings ponds and they also absorb cyanide through their skin when wading or swimming, or ingest it through drinking water ( Hammel, 2011; Laitos, 2013). Cyanide inactivates the activity of the enzyme, cytochrome c oxidase, thereby inhibiting the utilization of available oxygen in the tissues of man and animals (Abeygunasekera et al., 2013). The high demand for cereals by increasing human population and their use by millers for compounding livestock feeds coupled with the need for livestock products have also led to the use of unconventional feeds for animal production (Tewe, 1994). These unconventional feed materials include sorghum, spent grains and wheat offals (by-product of sorghum and wheat malting respectively) as well as cassava (Adeyemo et al., 2014; Ukwuru and Egbonu, 2013; Okafor and Nwabuko, 2003). This has led