Lead poisoning causes numerous clinical implications in almost all organs, with the brain, liver, and kidneys serving as the primary targets due to the abundant presence of mitochondria. Curcumin is one of the most potent constituents of Curcuma longa, which is lipophilic, phenolic and water insoluble. Curcumin is a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent in the treatments of neurodegenerative disease, cardiovascular, renal, and liver diseases, with a potential anticancer mechanism in a few clinical and experimental trials. This review will focus on the health impact of lead-induced toxicity in different organ-systems, which occurs as result of increased oxidative stress through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and will discuss the therapeutic potential of curcumin against lead-induced toxicity in both human and animals.

Lead (Pb) is a toxic, environmental heavy metal that induces serious clinical defects in all organs, with the nervous system being its primary target. Curcumin is the main active constituent of turmeric rhizome (Curcuma longa) with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study is aimed at evaluating the therapeutic potentials of curcumin on Pb-induced neurotoxicity. Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into five groups with 12 rats in the control (normal saline) and 6 rats in each of groups, i.e., the lead-treated group (LTG) (50 mg/kg lead acetate for four weeks), recovery group (RC) (50 mg/kg lead acetate for four weeks), treatment group 1 (Cur100) (50 mg/kg lead acetate for four weeks, followed by 100 mg/kg curcumin for four weeks) and treatment group 2 (Cur200) (50 mg/kg lead acetate for four weeks, followed by 200 mg/kg curcumin for four weeks). All experimental groups received oral treatment via orogastric tube on alternate days. Motor function was assessed using a horizontal bar method. The cerebellar concentration of Pb was evaluated using ICP-MS technique. Pb-administered rats showed a significant decrease in motor scores and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity with increased Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In addition, a marked increase in cerebellar Pb concentration and alterations in the histological architecture of the cerebellar cortex layers were recorded. However, treatment with curcumin improved the motor score, reduced Pb concentration in the cerebellum, and ameliorated the markers of oxidative stress, as well as restored the histological architecture of the cerebellum. The results of this study suggest that curcumin attenuates Pb-induced neurotoxicity via inhibition of oxidative stress and chelating activity.