Curcumin Attenuates Iron Accumulation and Oxidative Stress in the Liver and Spleen of Chronic Iron-Overloaded Rats

Abstract

ObjectivesIron overload is now recognized as a health problem in industrialized countries, as excessive iron is highly toxic for liver and spleen. The potential use of curcumin as an iron chelator has not been clearly identified experimentally in iron overload condition. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of curcumin to alleviate iron overload-induced hepatic and splenic abnormalities and to gain insight into the underlying mechanisms.Design and MethodsThree groups of male adult rats were treated as follows: control rats, rats treated with iron in a drinking water for 2 months followed by either vehicle or curcumin treatment for 2 more months. Thereafter, we studied the effects of curcumin on iron overload-induced lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidant depletion.ResultsTreatment of iron-overloaded rats with curcumin resulted in marked decreases in iron accumulation within liver and spleen. Iron-overloaded rats had significant increases in malonyldialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide (NO) in liver and spleen when compared to control group. The effects of iron overload on lipid peroxidation and NO levels were significantly reduced by the intervention treatment with curcumin (P<0.05). Furthermore, the endogenous anti-oxidant activities/levels in liver and spleen were also significantly decreased in chronic iron overload and administration of curcumin restored the decrease in the hepatic and splenic antioxidant activities/levels.ConclusionOur study suggests that curcumin may represent a new horizon in managing iron overload-induced toxicity as well as in pathological diseases characterized by hepatic iron accumulation such as thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, and myelodysplastic syndromes possibly via iron chelation, reduced oxidative stress derived lipid peroxidation and improving the body endogenous antioxidant defense mechanism.

Spinal glial activation and oxidative stress are alleviated by treatment with curcumin or coenzyme Q in sickle mice

“…Curcumin reduced oxidative stress in thalassaemia patients and decreased iron overload and oxidative stress in the liver and spleen of chronic iron-overloaded rats. 7,16 Thus, curcumin may influence the sickle microenvironment that includes large quantities of cell-free iron due to hemolysis and oxidative stress. Treatment with curcumin and/or CoQ10 could be a promising alternative strategy to reduce pain in SCA.…”

The Protective Effects of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Coriandrum sativum in Rats with Experimental Iron-Overload Condition

“…In addition, increased lipid peroxidation during liver damage was reported (29,30,36). It has been demonstrated that imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant factors, occurred in the iron overload condition, which resulted in reduction of enzyme activity such as catalase (31,34). In the current study, iron overload resulted in various adverse effects, such as increase in ALT, AST, and ALP activity and MDA level, as well as decreased CAT activity, which indicates liver damage.…”

“…The role of iron in the development of hepatic injuries in several clinical and experimental conditions has commonly been studied by induction of an iron overload condition (29)(30)(31)(32)(33).…”

“…In the current study, iron overload resulted in various adverse effects, such as increase in ALT, AST, and ALP activity and MDA level, as well as decreased CAT activity, which indicates liver damage. These changes may be the result of the production of ROS and oxidative damage by hepatic iron accumulation, which, finally, may result in chronic diseases (30) and leakage of cellular enzymes into the circulation due to increased liver membrane permeability (31,34). However, after treatment with hydro-alcoholic extract of C. sativum, reduction of theses liver biomarkers was observed.…”

“…Clinically, advanced lipid peroxidation usually produces several cytotoxic products, such as MDA, which can produce covalent adducts with proteins, phospholipids, and DNA. The formation of MDA-protein adducts have been found in the liver of rats with iron overload, and greater formation of these MDAmacromolecules adducts may be a potential mechanism in iron-induced hepatic damage (31). Thus, inhibition of lipid peroxidation can be one of the major strategies for the treatment of hepatic injuries under iron overload conditions.…”