Protective effect of Curcuma longa L. extract on CCl4-induced acute hepatic stress

Abstract

BackgroundThe Curcuma longa L. (CLL) rhizome has long been used to treat patients with hepatic dysfunction. CLL is a member of the ginger family of spices that are widely used in China, India, and Japan, and is a common spice, coloring, flavoring, and traditional medicine. This study was performed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of CLL extract and its active component curcumin in an acute carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver stress model.MethodsAcute hepatic stress was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 (0.1 ml/kg body weight) in rats. CLL extract was administered once a day for 3 days at three dose levels (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg/day) and curcumin was administered once a day at the 200 mg/kg/day. We performed alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). activity analysis and also measured total lipid, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels, and lipid peroxidation.ResultsAt 100 g CLL, the curcuminoid components curcumin (901.63 ± 5.37 mg/100 g), bis-demethoxycurcumin (108.28 ± 2.89 mg/100 g), and demethoxycurcumin (234.85 ± 1.85 mg/100 g) were quantified through high liquid chromatography analysis. In CCl4-treated rats, serum AST and ALT levels increased 2.1- and 1.2-fold compared with the control. AST but not ALT elevation induced by CCl4 was significantly alleviated in CLL- and curcumin-treated rats. Peroxidation of membrane lipids in the liver was significantly prevented by CLL (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg/day) on tissue lipid peroxidation assay and immunostaining with anti-4HNE antibody. We found that CLL extract and curcumin exhibited significant protection against liver injury by improving hepatic superoxide dismutase (p < 0.05) and glutathione peroxidase activity, and glutathione content in the CCl4-treated group (p < 0.05), leading to a reduced lipid peroxidase level.ConclusionOur data suggested that CLL extract and curcumin protect the liver from acute CCl4-induced injury in a rodent model by suppressing hepatic oxidative stress. Therefore, CLL extract and curcumin are potential therapeutic antioxidant agents against acute hepatotoxicity.

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

“…Although no studies have evaluated the effects of CL feeding following stress induced by oral gavage even in the absence of toxic agents, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine the decline observed could be associated with the consequence of less availability of free radicals or superoxide radicals (substrate for these antioxidant enzymes), which decreased gradually after administration of CL. It could be due to the reported potent superoxide radical-scavenging property of CL, which has been shown to be as effective as e findings of this trial are consistent with a previous study that demonstrated how prior treatment with CL roots resulted in a reduction in the levels of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress [21]. Other studies reported similar results, in which oral administration effectively induced an increase in quinone reductase and glutathione transferase activity, even in the absence of toxic agents.…”

“…Previous studies also reported similar findings that CL rhizome extract increased the activity of SOD, GPx, and CAT enzymes [23]. Also, oral administration of aqueous extract of CL rhizomes did not cause significant changes in liver function, demonstrated by hepatic enzymes levels and histopathological changes in liver tissue [21,23]. e current study showed that six days of 100 mg/kg CL (P.O.)…”

Curcuma Longa;

“…These findings are supported by previous studies. [20][21][22][23][24][25] Singh et al 26 also reported similar histological findings. The present study has a few limitations such as the; inflammatory markers and antioxidant enzymes were not analyzed due to funding issues.…”

In vivo antioxidant activities of Curcuma longa and Curcuma xanthorrhiza: a review

“…These findings indicated that EECL has protective effects against CCl 4 -induced hepatotoxicity in rats via antioxidant activities and phase II detoxifying enzymes (Lee et al, 2010). EECL has also been reported to exhibit protective effects in liver injury due to the treatment of CCL 4 through increasing levels of antioxidants enzymes of SOD, glutathione peroxidase activity, and glutathione content in the CCl 4 -treated group (p<0.05), leading to a reduced lipid peroxidase level (Lee et al, 2017). C. longa extract at the concentration of 0.5% given to Sprague Dawley rats also revealed the antioxidant activity in vivo.…”