Ameliorative effect of curcumin on aflatoxin-induced toxicity in DNA, RNA and protein in liver and kidney of mice.

The present investigation is an attempt to evaluate the ameliorative effect of curcumin on aflatoxin-induced toxicity in liver and kidney of mice. Aflatoxin was obtained by growing Aspergillus parasiticus in SMKY liquid medium. 70 male mice were divided into 7 groups (37-40 g body weight) including untreated control, vehicle control (0.2 mL olive oil/animal/day), curcumin control (50 mg/kg body weight/animal), aflatoxin low dose and high dose (750 and 1500 mg/kg body weight). Other two groups were administered curcumin along with low dose aflatoxin and high dose aflatoxin. The treatment was given for 45 days. On 46th day the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Liver and kidney were removed and weighed. Homogenates were prepared and analyzed for DNA, RNA and protein content. The results revealed dose-dependent significant reduction in DNA, RNA and protein contents in the liver and kidney of mice. Oral administration of aflatoxin along with curcumin significantly ameliorates, as compared to aflatoxin alone treated groups, in all parameters. It is concluded that curcumin ameliorates aflatoxin-induced toxicity in liver and kidney of mice.