Curcumin Prevents Cyclophosphamide-Induced Lung Injury in Rats by Suppressing Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis

Abstract

Curcumin (CUR) has been used since ancient times to treat several ailments as it possesses many pharmacological activities. This study intended to explore the mechanism underlying the protective effects of CUR in remodeling oxidative stress and apoptotic signals in cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced pulmonary injury in albino rats. CUR was administered at a dose of 300 mg/kg/day for 7 days and on the seventh day a single dose of CP (200 mg/kg) was given. Histopathological and ultrastructural examinations of CP-intoxicated rats showed complete alveolar obstruction, thickened inter-alveolar septa, enlarged blood vessels, severe inflammatory edema with pyknotic nuclei, and disappearance of cytoplasmic organelles. Significant increases in caspase-3, malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyl (PCO) and significant decreases in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were observed. In contrast, rats that received CUR showed clear and empty lumina with single row of pneumocytes, disappearance of edema, and no interstitial electron dense bodies in rats’ lung tissues. Additionally, CUR significantly reduced caspase-3, MDA, and PCO and increased SOD and GPx. In conclusion, these findings revealed the protective effects of CUR against CP-induced pulmonary injury in rats through suppressing oxidative damage and apoptosis.

Nano-Curcumin Prevents Cardiac Injury, Oxidative Stress and Inflammation, and Modulates TLR4/NF-κB and MAPK Signaling in Copper Sulfate-Intoxicated Rats

“…Curcumin (CUR) is a hydrophobic polyphenol found in turmeric [ 26 ] and possesses potent antioxidant [ 27 ], anti-inflammatory [ 28 , 29 ], and cardioprotective effects [ 30 ]. In a rat model of lung injury, CUR suppressed inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis and enhanced antioxidant defenses [ 28 ].…”

“…Curcumin (CUR) is a hydrophobic polyphenol found in turmeric [ 26 ] and possesses potent antioxidant [ 27 ], anti-inflammatory [ 28 , 29 ], and cardioprotective effects [ 30 ]. In a rat model of lung injury, CUR suppressed inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis and enhanced antioxidant defenses [ 28 ]. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of CUR were demonstrated in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/diclofenac-induced liver injury [ 29 ].…”

Curcumin and Nano-Curcumin Mitigate Copper Neurotoxicity by Modulating Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Akt/GSK-3β Signaling

“…Curcumin (CUR) is a hydrophobic polyphenolic compound found natively in turmeric [ 15 ]. It exhibits antioxidant [ 16 ], antimicrobial [ 17 ], anti-inflammatory, pulmoprotective [ 18 ], anti-diabetic [ 19 ], hepatoprotective [ 20 , 21 , 22 ], nephroprotective [ 23 ], and antitumor actions [ 24 ]. In addition to these pharmacological effects, CUR possesses neuroprotective activity where it protected the brain against oxidative injury induced by heavy metals [ 25 ].…”

Acetovanillone prevents cyclophosphamide‐induced acute lung injury by modulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Nrf2 signaling in rats

“…ALI is one of the serious adverse effects of the antineoplastic agent CP (Saghir et al, 2020; Suddek et al, 2013) with oxidative stress representing a major culprit behind tissue injury (Tan et al, 2014). This study explored the protective efficacy of the NADPH oxidase inhibitor AV on CP‐induced ALI in rats, focusing on the possible role of PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Nrf2 signaling.…”

“…In rodents, administration of CP resulted in oxidative tissue injury, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and other adverse effects (Aladaileh et al, 2019; ALHaithloul, Alotaibi, Bin‐Jumah, Elgebaly, & Mahmoud, 2019; Kamel, Mahmoud, Ahmed, & Lamsabhi, 2016). Lung tissue injury is one of the abundant CP toxic effects, where endothelial damage, granular pneumocyte injury, necrosis, pulmonary edema, hemorrhage, and cellular inflammatory infiltration are common histological findings (Saghir et al, 2020; Suddek, Ashry, & Gameil, 2013). Although the mechanisms underlying CP‐mediated lung injury are incompletely clear, imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the activity of the antioxidant defense system is implicated (Tan et al, 2014).…”