On the Benefit of Nanocurcumin on Aluminium Phosphide-induced Cardiotoxicity in a Rat Model

Objectives: Cardiotoxicity is considered the primary cause of death in aluminum phosphide (ALP)-poisoned cases. Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, is a potent protective polyphenol compound against cardiac diseases including cardiotoxicity. This study aimed to examine the probable cardioprotection potential of nanocurcumin in a rat model of ALP-induced cardiotoxicity. Methods: The rats were orally intoxicated with ALP (12 mg/kg, p.o.; 1/4 LD50). In treatment groups, curcumin (50 mg/kg, i.p.) and nanocurcumin (10, 20 and 50 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered intraperitoneally 30 min following ALP administration. Twenty four hrs subsequent to ALP intoxication, the hearts were dissected out for evaluation of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation (LPO) markers such as thiol, reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) and the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). Findings: In fact, ALP increased MDA as well as ROS and SOD levels. On the other hand, ALP significantly lowered thiol, GHS and FRAP markers. In contrast, nanocurcumin successfully could reverse the increases in MDA as well as SOD, ROS and GSH. Simultaneously, it significantly enhanced thiol, GHS and FRAP markers. Moreover, curcumin markedly lowered MDA, ROS and SOD levels while increased thiol and GSH contents. Conclusion: Overall, the present data demonstrated the cardio-protective effects of nanocurcumin in this model of cardiotixicity. Further, it suggested that this cardioprotecton is probably mediated by the ability of nanocurcumin to confront the oxidative stress and LPO resulting from ALP intoxication of the heart tissue. Key words: Nanocurcumin; aluminum phosphide; cardiotoxicity; oxidative stress; rat.