Effect of curcumin on cadmium- induced hepatic toxicity in rats

ABSTRACT

The protective effect of spice principle, curcumin on cadmium [Cd] induced hepatotoxicity in rats were studied. Male albino rats injected i.v. with 4 mg CdCl[2]/Kg showed hepatic damage as measured by an increase in liver lipid peroxide product as malondialdehyde [MDA], glutathione peroxidase [GProx] and glutathione reductase [GRed]. On the other hand, hepatic superoxide dismutase [SOD] and reduced glutathione [GSH] content decreased significantly. The increase in liver MDA concomitant with elevated serum enzymes, alanine aminotransferase [ALAT], aspartate aminotransferase [ASAT] and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]. Pre-administration of curcumin [30 mg/kg body wt.] for 7 days succeeded to ameliorate hepatic MDA. SOD and GSH in Cd-injected rats. The levels of GProx and GRed being normalized. Curcumin also lowered significantly serum ALAT, ASAT and LDH levels. These results elucidate the potent antioxidant protective action of curcumin against cadmium-induced hepatic damage as monitered by lipid peroxide and antioxidant enzymes