The main objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect of curcumin in hepatotoxicity induced by thioacetamide (TAA) in rats. Sixty mal albino rats divided into six groups containing 10 rats each. Group Ι: (Control group) rats received no drugs. Group II: (TAA-induced liver toxicity group) rats injected TAA (50 mg/kg b.wt /twice/ week, i.p) for 3 weeks. Group III: (curcumin group) rats administered curcumin (100 mg/kg b.wt/daily, orally) to 6 weeks. Group IV: (TAA + curcumin pretreated group) rats administered curcumin for 3 weeks and then injected TAA for 3 weeks. Group V: (TAA +curcumin Post-treated Group) rats injected TAA for 3 weeks and then administered curcumin for 3 weeks. Group VI (TAA + Curcumin co -treated group) rats injected TAA and at the same time administered curcumin for 6 weeks (end of experiment). The obtained results revealed that, a significant increase in serum GGT, ALT, AST, ALP and LDH activities, total Bilirubin, TNF- α and liver L-MDA concentrations were observed in TAA injected rats. However, administration of curcumin in TAA induced liver toxicity in rats exhibited a significant decreased in all mentioned parameters and attenuated the increased MDA level in liver tissues. On the other hand, a significant decreased in serum total protein, albumin concentrations and in liver antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT) activities were observed in TAA induced hepatic toxicity in rats when compared with control normal group. Meanwhile, curcumin administrations resulted in significant increase in all mentioned parameters and enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes in liver tissues. It could be concluded that, inhibition of peroxidation, inflammation and oxidative stress and enhanced antioxidant status in rat liver tissues by curcumin suggest the potential efficacy of curcumin as an addition hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-hepatotoxic agent in treatment of liver toxicity. |
