Comparative study of the beneficial efficacy of two antioxidants [curcumin and melatonin] on cisplatin induced genotoxicity in adult albino rats

ABSTRACT

The major objective of this study was to evaluate the toxic effect of cisplatin [a widely used antitumor drug] on antioxidant enzymes [catalase and glutathione peroxidase], hepatic [DNA and RNA] contents as well as on chromosomal pattern. The protective role of two antioxidants curcumin and melatonin were also studied and compared. Two hundreds and sixteen adult albino rats of both sexes were divided into six equal groups. A part from the three control groups, the fourth treated group [G IV] were received single dose of 1/10 of LD50 [5 mg/kg b.w IP] cisplatin. Group V received curcumin [10 mg/kg. b.w. I.P.] + cisplatin. Group VI received melatonin [5 mg/kg b.w. IP] +cisplatin, NB each of curcurnin and melatonin in GV and GV1 were given 24 hours and another dose 1/2 an hour before single administration of [5 mg/kg b.w] cisplatin and daily for 20 days thereafter. Twelve rats from each group were sacrificed 24, 72 hours and 21 days after single cisplatin administration. Blood was collected from six rats to estimate catalase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes activities, then their livers were obtained after their sacrification to measure their [DNA and RNA] contents. The other six rats were utilized for cytogenetic study. The results of the present study showed that cisplatin significantly decreased catalase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes activities, and hepatic DNA and RNA concentrations and significantly increased both structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations and total chromosomal damage throughout the period of the study. curcumin and melatonin may be of therapeutic benefit as they modulate cisplatin toxicity as regards all studied parameters with the superiority of melatonin, so we recommended antioxidant supplementation along with cisplatin chemotherapy and between its courses to minimize its side effects through strengthening the antioxidant system