Modulatory Effects of Curcumin on Antioxidant Status of Benzo[a]pyrene Treated Albino Rats

This study examined the modulatory effects of Curcumin on the antioxidant status of benzo[a]pyrene-treated albino rats. Thirty albino rats were divided into five treatment groups (n=6) namely: control, benzo[a]pyrene only (1 mg/kg), benzo[a]pyrene (1 mg/kg) + Curcumin (50 mg/kg), benzo[a]pyrene (1 mg/kg) + Curcumin (100 mg/kg), Benzo[a]pyrene (1 mg/kg) + Curcumin (200 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. Rats were administered the drug (benzo[a]pyrene and Curcumin) orally, thrice a week. Activities of antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH)] and malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated. Benzo[a]pyrene treatment only on rats induced significant increases (𝑃<0.05) on malondialdehyde levels, and significant (𝑃<0.05) decreases in activities of SOD, CAT, GSH and GPx. Curcumin administration helped to reduce MDA concentrations (P<0.05) in the rats earlier treated with benzo[a]pyrene and varying concentrations of Curcumin. Meanwhile activities of SOD and GSH of rats treated with 200 mg of Curcumin were significantly increased (P<0.05) compared to control group. The activity of GPx in rats treated with 200 mg of Curcumin, compared favorably with that of control. Thus, higher dose of Curcumin administered on the rats seemed to improve the activities of the antioxidant enzymes. Results of the study indicates that Curcumin treatment helped to modulate B[a]P-induced toxicities on the antioxidant status of the rats.