Protective effects of curcumin on hepatocytes in cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis in rats

We aim to observe the protective effects of curcumin in hepatocytes in septic rat. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups of 20 rats each: sham group; model group; xuebijing group; low dose group (50 mg/kg), middle dose group (100 mg/kg) and high dose group (150 mg/kg). Another 60 rats were randomly divided into the six above-mentioned experimental groups of 10 rats each to determine the survival rate. Our results showed that, treatment with curcumin and Xuebijing significantly attenuated the CLP-induced hepatocyte edema and inflammation indicators, especially in the Xuebijing and 100-mg/kg curcumin groups. This result was also supported by the histopathologic examination findings. Additionally, curcumin improved the survival rate of rats with CLP. Curcumin has a protective effect on CLP-induced liver dysfunction and that the effect varies at different doses; the 100-mg/kg dose was optimal for protection of hepatocytes in septic rats. This protective effect can be attributed to the ability of curcumin to counteract inflammatory cell infiltration and regulate cytokines.