ABSTRACT:
The compound 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is most widely used herbicide/ Pesticide in agriculture with lots of adverse effects in rodents including man. In the present study, the protective effect of curcumin on 2,4-D-intoxicated adult male mice (Mus musculus) was evaluated. Toxicity was induced by oral administration of this herbicide (30, 60, 90 mg/kg/day) for 45 days in them. Curcumin at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day was given simultaneously by the oral route. Liver dysfunctions were confirmed by decrements in metabolic indices i.e phosphatases, adenosine triphosphatase, succinate dehydrogenase and total proteins. Similarly, oxidative stress indices like glutathione, total ascorbic acid, total –SH, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione –s-transferase levels remained altered by 2,4-D feeding. Contrarily increased activities of glycogen and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were noticed by administration of toxicant in a dose dependent manner. These consequences were supported by a hepato-histopathological study were altered cell shape, increased cellular space, and zonal necrotic areas were observed in intoxicated mice. However, curcumin administration to treated mice mitigated these metabolic, oxidative stress as well as histopathological effects in this tissue. Hence, it is concluded that curcumin ameliorates 2,4-D induced toxicity in this vital organ due to its antioxidant properties though it has low aqueous solubility. Overall, these findings provide new evidence that curcumin administration improved 2,4-D induced toxicity through its modulatory effect.