Hepatoprotective Effects of Curcuma Longa against Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Liver Injury in Rats

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of Curcuma longa (CL) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced 
liver injury in adult male Wistar rat model. 
Study Design: Experimental/Analytical study 
Place and Duration of Study: Animal House, Isra University Hyderabad from March to December 2013. 
Subjects and Methods: Forty five adult male Wistar rats were divided into three groups; Group 1. controls received 
0.9% isotonic saline, Group 2. received CCl4 orally (1.9mg/kg) mixed in olive oil, and Group 3. received the 
CCl4+CL (250mg/kg) Blood samples were collected for liver biochemical assays. The animals were sacrificed, liver 
tissue, after fixation in 4% formaldehyde, was embedded in paraffin. Tissue sections of 5μ thickness were subjected 
to haematoxylin and eosin staining and were assessed by light microscopy. The data was analyzed on SPSS 21.0 
using one-way ANOVA, Fischer`s LSD and Chi-square tests. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was taken statistically significant.
Results: The liver biochemical and histological findings reveal statistically significant differences among the 
controls, CCl4 and CCl4+CL groups (p=0.0001). Liver enzymes and histology were deranged significantly in CCl4 
group compared to controls and CCl4 +CL group (p=0.0001). The CCl4+CL group showed less elevation of liver 
enzymes and derangement in liver histology compared to CCl4 group (p=0.001). The histological findings of 
congestion, inflammatory cell infiltrate, vacuolar degeneration and necrosis are found prominent in CCl4 group. 
Conclusion: The Curcuma longa protects against oxidative damages caused by carbon tetrachloride induced liver 
injury in rat model.