Evaluation of the Effects of Curcumin on Ethanol-Induced Liver Failure in Male Rats

Alcohol consumption can cause hepatitis and long-term cirrhosis of the liver. Curcumin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of curcumin in the prevention and treatment of liver damage caused by overuse of ethanol.

In this experimental study, 30 adult male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups of 5. The control group received only normal water and food daily. The sham group received only 2cc of olive oil daily. The experimental group1 received only 100 mg / kg curcumin daily. Experimental group 2 daily received 2 cc Ethanol30%. The experimental group3 daily received Ethanol 30%  and 50mg/kg of curcumin and experimentl group 4 daily received Ethanol30% and 100 mg/kg.  of  curcumin. The animals received water, ethanol, curcumin, and food orally daily for 28 days. At the end of the test period, blood samples were taken from the hearts of the animals. Serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, GGT and arginase as well as serum albumin, total protein and blood urea nitrogen were measured. Animal liver tissue was removed in different groups. Hematoxylin-eosin staining method was used to test the testicular tissue.

Ethanol treatment significantly increased the activity levels of serum enzymes ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, arginase 1 and blood urea nitrogen compared to control, sham and experimental   group 1 (p˂0.05), while decreased albumin and the total protein levels (p˂0.05). In addition, ethanol treatment caused the accumulation of fat droplets, hyperemia, necrosis, apoptosis and eosinophilia of the cytoplasm in hepatocytes. However, co-administration of ethanol and curcumin significantly reduced ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, arginase 1 and BUN levels compared to the ethanol group (p˂0.05), while increased albumin and total protein levels (p˂0.05). Histopathologically, a decrease in structural changes in liver tissue and apoptosis was observed, resulting in the improvement of liver tissue.

The administration of curcumin can reduce ethanol-induced liver damage in rats and improve serum liver and blood parameters.