Biochemical investigations on the protective role of curcumin in liver damage by chloroquine

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of curcumin on hepatic biochemical status of CQ-induced Wistar rat. It has been shown that CQ administration brought about a significant changes in antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) activities, whereas alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was found to be significantly increased following CQ treatment. Lipid Per Oxidation (LPO) was found to be elevated in a significant manner in the CQ treated group as compared to control. Serum values of ALT were utilized to evaluate liver injury. The CQ administration increased serum values of ALT about 3 fold compared to those in CON rats, while pretreatment with curcumin significantly inhibit the increase of this enzyme induced by CQ. Significant decrease in activities of Antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD and GSHpx) was observed in liver homogenates treated with CQ only after getting pretreatment with curcumin these activities were normal. Results also showed that liver homogenates of rat treated with CQ contained higher level of MDA as well as protein carbonyl contents when compared with control values. These concentration levels decreased significantly in the group that received CQ with curcumin.