Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Arsenic (As) poisoning is a worldwide public health problem. Arsenic can cause cancer, diabetes, hepatic problems, etc. Hence, we investigated possible hepatoprotective properties of curcumin against As(3+)-induced liver damages in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Isolation of hepatocytes was done by the two-step liver perfusion method using collagenase. The EC(50) concentration of As(3+) was used in toxicity assessments and curcumin (2, 5, and 10 µM) was added 15 min before As(3+) addition to isolated hepatocytes. Curcumin impact was assessed in terms of cytotoxicity, lipid peroxidation induction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential. RESULTS: As(3+) significantly increased cytotoxicity, malondialdehyde and ROS levels and induced mitochondrial membrane damage and hepatocyte membrane lysis after 3 hr incubation. Curcumin 2 µM significantly prevented lipid peroxidation induction, ROS formation, and mitochondrial membrane damage; while curcumin 5 µM had no apparent effect on these parameters, curcumin 10 µM potentiated them. CONCLUSION: Curcumin only at low doses could ameliorate oxidative stress injury induced by As(3+) in isolated rat hepatocytes.