Evaluation of the renoprotective effect of nano turmeric against toxic dose of copper sulfate: Role of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, kidney injury molecule-1, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 protein expressions.

The aim of this study was to compare the potential renoprotective effects of turmeric (TM) and nano turmeric (NTM) with those of desferrioxamine (DSM) against copper sulfate (CS)-induced toxicity. Rats were administered a toxic dose of CS with TM, NTM, and DSM for 1 week. Next, serum-urea creatinine, uric acid, interleukin (IL)-10, c-reactive protein (CRP), and caspase-3 levels; renal nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), kidney injury molecule (KIM)-1, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT-3) protein expression; and nuclear factor (NF)-κB and B-cell lymphoma -2 (Bcl-2) messenger RNA expression levels were estimated. Administration of the investigated antioxidants downregulated the marked increase in urea, creatinine, uric acid, CRP, caspase-3, NO, MDA, VCAM-1, kidney injury molecule (KIM-1), STAT-3, NF-κB, and DNA fragmentation, and increased Bcl-2, IL-10, GSH, and SOD levels induced by CS. The histopathological examination confirmed the effects of the antioxidants on the investigated biochemical parameters. Interestingly, NTM exhibited a superior renoprotective effect, which was comparable with that of DSM. In conclusion, NTM was shown to be a promising candidate against CS-induced toxicity, and several molecular mechanisms were implicated in the CS-induced renotoxicity as well as the treatment effects of NTM.

Liposomal Curcumin Attenuates the Incidence of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and DNA Damage Induced by Copper Sulfate in Rat Liver.

BACKGROUND: Copper is an essential element that is used widely in agriculture as fungicides and insecticides; for example, it is used to control schistosomiasis and as an antiseptic and germicide. Copper sulfate (CuSO4) induces multiorgan dysfunction through the stimulation of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. Despite the numerous pharmacological effects of curcumin (CUR), its pharmacokinetic properties are less promising. Hence, there is an urgent need for novel, effective strategies to attenuate heavy metal toxicity and consequently improve the treatment efficiency. Liposomal curcumin (L-CUR) improves the dissolution, stability, and bioavailability of treatment agents. This study compared the efficacy of CUR and L-CUR with that of desferrioxamine (DES), which is a heavy metal chelator against CuSO4 hepatotoxicity. METHODS: All treatments with the aforementioned antioxidants were administered for 7 days along with CuSO4. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, and C-reactive protein, hepatic nitric oxide (NO), and lipid peroxides (malondialdehyde) were measured; protein expression of cyclooxygenase 2 and DNA fragmentation were evaluated. Histopathological examinations were also conducted. RESULTS: A toxic dose of CuSO4 induced elevations in the previously measured parameters; these increases were reduced by the tested antioxidants, whereas glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were decreased. Treatment with the antioxidants in question modulated these levels. Liposomal CUR has more hepatoprotective efficiency than CUR, and its efficacy was similar to that of DES. The histopathological examinations confirmed these results. CONCLUSIONS: Liposomal CUR may be useful for the prevention of CuSO4-induced liver injury. Cyclooxygenase 2 protein expression and DNA fragmentation were involved in CuSO4 toxicity and treatment.