The protective effect of curcumin against aluminum chloride-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in rats

Abstract

Aluminum is recognized as a public health concern because of its potential toxic effects on human health. Therefore, the present experiment was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of curcumin (CUR) in reducing the hepatotoxicity induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl3) in animals. In this experimental study, forty male rats were allocated to five groups (N = 8), viz. no treatment (control), solvent (DMSO or distilled water), CUR (10 mg/kg B.W.), AlCl3 (10 mg/kg B.W.), and CUR+AlCl3 (each with 10 mg/kg B.W.). Treatments were performed by intra-peritoneal injections for 28 days. On the final day, animals were sacrificed, and liver function markers in blood plasma, hepatic antioxidants, and lipid peroxidation index in liver homogenate were estimated. AlCl3 treatment resulted in a significant increase in plasma AST, ALT, ALP and LDH activities with decreased total protein compared to control. AlCl3 significantly reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) levels but increased malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the liver compared to control. AlCl3 also caused various histopathological changes in the livers of rats. Curcumin could normalize nearly all these parameters. CUR improved levels of changes in different parameters when was combined with AlCl3. It is concluded that CUR has beneficial effects being able to antagonize AlCl3 toxicity.