Comparative toxicity studies in birds using nimesulide and diclofenac sodium

Nimesulide, a sulfonanilide derivative, was compared with diclofenac sodium for toxicity in poultry. In this study, Vanaraja and PB1 birds of 6 weeks old (either sex) were mixed and equally divided into 5 groups of 10 birds each. The birds were inoculated with nimesulide, @ 5 and 2 mg; vehicle @ 0.5 ml; and diclofenac sodium @ 5 mg on kg bwt basis. One group served as untreated control. All the groups were observed for a period of 28 days. Forty percent mortality was observed within 12 days in diclofenac-treated group. While birds inoculated with nimesulide remained normal. No significant differences in the weight gain, haematology, total protein contents in the nimesulide and diclofenac groups (survived birds) were observed when compared with the control group of birds. Serum creatinine, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly (P < 0.05) high in diclofenac-treated group compared to nimesulide (P > 0.05) and control groups. Nimesulide-treated groups did not show any histopathological lesions, where as diclofenac-treated birds showed histopathological lesions in liver and kidney.