Effect of curcumin supplementation on antioxidant enzymes in liver cirrhosis: study in rats

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of curcumin supplementation on antioxidant enzymes in thioacetamide induced cirrhotic rats. For this purpose 24 male Albino wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=6). Group I, remained healthy control rats, Group II, received thioacetamide (at a dose of 200mg/kg b.w, twice a week i.p, for 12 weeks) in first phase and saline in second phase, Group III, received thioacetamide (200mg/kg b.w, i.p for 12 weeks, twice a week) in first phase and curcumin (50mg/kg b.w/day, i.p. for 12 weeks ) in second phase and Group IV, received curcumin (50 mg/kg b.w/day, i.p. for 12 weeks) in first phase and saline in second phase. Biochemical analysis was evaluated by estimation of antioxidant enzymes (SOD) Catalase, Glutathione reductase and MDA in control and cirrhotic rats. Curcumin supplementation markedly restored the antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GSH) MDA and catalase activity. These results indicate that curcumin successively attenuates the thioacetamide induced liver cirrhosis.