Wael M. Al-Amoudi, Faiza A. Mahboub, Hawazen A. Lamfon and Nahid A. Lamfon
Keywords: Methimazole, curcumin, hepatotoxicity, histochemistry, rats.
Abstract: The present study investigates the possible protective effect of curcumin on Methimazole (MMZ). It is an anti-thyroid drug induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. In this study the rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups; first group was used as control treated with a standard diet. The second group was treated with curcumin at dose of 150 mg/kg body weight. The third group was treated with the MMZ dissolved in drinking water at dose of 60mg/kg body weight. The fourth group was treated with a liquid mixture of MMZ and curcumin. The rats were dissected after 6 weeks of treatment and livers of these animal were collected separately and used for histological and histochemical methods. It was clear form the results obtained that the MMZ caused histological alterations in the liver tissue of the MMZ treated rats. These changes appeared as congestion of blood vessels, leucocytic infiltrations and cytoplasmic vaculation of the hepatocytes. The histochemical analysis has revealed a reduction in carbohydrates content, total proteins and DNA. The histochemical results of the same rats treated with MMZ showed an increase in serum level of ALT, AST and ALP. However, the group treated with curcumin showed a remarkable improvement in the histological structure of the liver tissue. The results revealed an increase in carbohydrates level, total proteins and DNA. In addition the Biochemical results of this group showed a noticeable decrease in the hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP). These finding have confirmed that curcumin is an effective agent with special antioxidant properties that prevent and protect the liver from histological and histochemical damages induced by MMZ.
[View Complete Article]