Ultrastructural Changes in Hepatocytes and Chemopreventive Effects of Short-Term Administration of Curcuma longa L. against Oxidative Stress-Induced Toxicity: Improvement Mechanisms of Liver Detoxification.

Mohammed A Hasan

doi:10.1155/2020/9535731

Abstract

The rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. (CL) have been widely used in herbal medicines worldwide. It has been shown to possess prophylactic effects against oxidative stress. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the protective role of CL against oxidative stress in the absence of toxic agents. The aim of the study was to elucidate the antioxidative stress pharmacodynamics of CL. Eighteen 12-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 300 ± 25 gm were divided equally into six groups. Four of the groups were supplemented with CL at 100 mg/kg b.w./day orally (P.O.) and labeled as 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 6th day groups. The PCx (positive control) group was given distilled water orally, and the NCx (negative control) group rats were provided with food and water ad libitum. Blood samples were collected, and rats were sacrificed on days 1, 3, 5, and 6 (2 h) posttreatment. The blood was used for oxidative stress enzyme analysis (SOD, GSH-Px, and MDA) and liver (ALT) and kidney (creatinine) function assay, and the liver was dissected for histology. The results revealed that CL exhibited an antioxidative stress effect in the liver and kidneys as indicated by the low levels of ALT and creatinine. In response to antioxidant enzymes, especially that of the 3rd-day treatment group, an increase in SOD and GSH-Px indirectly caused an alleviation of oxidative stress, leading to a much lower level of MDA. It was concluded that treatment with CL at 100 mg/kg b.w./per day for three consecutive days demonstrated the highest efficacy in abating oxidative stress in rats.

Highlights

Conventional drugs and treatment have been associated with adverse side effects and other complications, such as drug resistance
No clinical abnormalities were observed in all of the rat’s groups during the experimental period. ere were no statistical differences in the treated groups compared to the negative control group, which was indicative of the healthy status of rats, following Curcuma longa L. (CL) supplementation
Oral treatment of healthy rats with 100 mg/kg/day per os (P.O.) CL for 6 successive days induced a significant increase in erythrocytes (SOD and G-Px) and a significant decrease in plasma (MDA), during the third day only of administration when compared with the NCx group

Summary

Introduction

Conventional drugs and treatment have been associated with adverse side effects and other complications, such as drug resistance. Erefore, this warrants further investigation into the identification and discovery of new drugs for alternative therapy, either to complement or replace existing conventional drugs [1, 2]. E medicinal properties, a potential mechanism of action, toxicological studies, and safety evaluation, of a lot of the plants in use today, remain unclear [6,7,8]. Aims of this study are to determine the potential protective effects of powdered dried rhizomes of CL on antioxidative status, SOD and GSH-Px, and lipid peroxidation as well as cytosolic liver enzymes, to evaluate the morphological, histopathological, and ultrastructural features in the liver associated with oral administration of CL, and to elucidate.

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Conclusion