The protective effect of curcumin on paracetamol-induced liver damage in adult male rabbits

Abstract

Introduction Paracetamol is a widely used nonsteroidal analgesic that is also used as an antipyretic drug, but at high dose it leads to undesirable side effects, such as hepatotoxicity. Curcumin has been proposed as an antioxidant because it reduces oxidative stress. Aim This work aimed to evaluate the possible protective effect of curcumin on paracetamol-induced liver damage. Materials and methods Thirty adult male rabbits were divided into five equal groups. Group I served as the control group. Group II received curcumin at 100 mg/kg. Group III was treated with paracetamol at 500 mg/kg. Group IV received paracetamol at 500 mg/kg and curcumin at 50 mg/kg. Group V received paracetamol at 500 mg/kg and curcumin at 100 mg/kg. The treatment was given daily orally for 15 days, and then the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were taken for measuring liver function tests and blood count. Specimens from the liver were taken for light and electron microscopic examination. Results Paracetamol caused a significant elevation in aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase levels. Paracetamol reduced plasma total proteins, albumin, the level of red blood cells, and platelets. Histological examination of the liver of group III revealed deterioration of hepatocellular structure. The hepatocytes revealed vacuolization and smooth endoplasmic reticulum proliferation with distorted cristae of the mitochondria. However, administration of paracetamol with curcumin at both doses markedly reduced the elevated aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase levels and significantly increased the concentration of plasma total protein and albumin levels as well as red blood cells and platelets. The biochemical changes were in good correlation with the histopathological data as curcumin normalized the altered liver morphology, and the hepatocytes appeared nearly normal, although some continued to have dark nuclei and slight cytoplasmic vacuolations. Conclusion These results suggest that curcumin has a strong antioxidant and a significant hepatoprotective effect against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity and is useful in minimizing the toxicity of the drug.