A Study on Cisplatin-induced Hepatotoxicity and Protective Role of Turmeric in Rats

Toxic effects of cisplatin and protective role of turmeric was assessed on hepatic biomarkers. A total of 48 rats were divided into 4 groups of 12 rats each. Group 1 was maintain ed as sham control, 2 was treated with cisplatin (@ 2 mg/kg b.wt, intraperitoneally on day 1, 7, 14 and 28), 3 was treated with turmeric (@ 0.05 mg/kg b.wt. p.o. once daily for 28 days) and 4 was treated with cisplatin + turmeric (as per above schedule). Blood was collected at fortnight intervals and serum was separated for estimation of hepatic bio markers. Six rats in each group were then euthanized on day 14 and 28 for histopathology, while tissue parameters were assayed on day 28. Serum AST and GGT were significantly (P < 0.05) increased, while serum protein was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in group 2. The tissue enzyme assays revealed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in CYP450, TBARS and protein carbonyls and significant (P < 0.05) decrease of GSH, SOD, catalase, GST, GPX, G6PD, Na+ /K+ ATPase and Mg2 + ATPase in group 2 as compared to other groups. Sections of liver showed marked central vein and sinusoidal congestion, bile duct hyperplasia, few hepatocytes with hydropic degeneration and other degenerative changes. It concluded that the ameliorative group 4 showed mild to moderate improvement in all parameters in comparison to group 2. It is concluded that supplementation of turmeric was found beneficial in countering the toxic effects of cisplatin on liver.