Nano-curcumin ameliorates arsenic induced hepatotoxicity in female rats

Abstract

Aim: To determine the protective effects of curcumin and nanocurcumin against arsenic-induced hepatotoxicity in female rats, using liver function tests and oxidative stress parameters. Methodology: Arsenic trioxide (4 mg kg-1 b.wt.), curcumin and nano curcumin (50 mg kg-1 b.wt.) were administered to healthy rats as a chronic treatment for 60 days through gavage. The liver tissue samples of exposed rats were examined for histopathological alterations, liver function tests viz. alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), bilirubin (BIL) and a lipid peroxidation product-malonaldehyde (MDA). Results: Treatments with both forms of curcumin could significantly (p 0<0.05) improve liver function as indicated by serum enzyme biomarkers viz. AST, ALT, ALP and LDH. Hyper-bilirubinemia was also diminished. Fibro-proliferation caused by arsenic in the liver was also controlled by curcumin (s). Histopathological observations of liver showed significant improvement in its morphology post treatments. Interpretation: Present results suggest that curcumin and nanocurcumin both express hepatoprotective effects in arsenic treated rats. However, nanocurcumin was found to offer better protection than curcumin. Key words: Arseniasis, Fibrosis, Lipid peroxidation, Liver function, Nanocurcumin