Home Gastroenterology Curcumin May Help Prevent Liver Damage From Acetaminophen

Curcumin May Help Prevent Liver Damage From Acetaminophen

Effect seen in histological, plasma analysis by preventing mitochondrial changes

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 24, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Curcumin exerts a hepatoprotective effect against acetaminophen-induced damage in mice, according to an experimental study published in the February issue of the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology.

Luis Fernando Granados-Castro, from the National Autonomous University of Mexico in University City, and colleagues evaluated the effect of curcumin (35, 50 or 100 mg/kg) on acetaminophen-induced mitochondrial alterations in the livers of mice. Curcumin was received 90 minutes before acetaminophen injection (350 mg/kg).

The researchers found that in a dose-dependent manner, curcumin prevented acetaminophen-induced liver damage. Curcumin (100 mg/kg) lessened acetaminophen-induced liver histological damage and increment in plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity. Additionally, curcumin reduced the decrease in oxygen consumption measured using either succinate or malate/glutamate as substrates (evaluated by state 3, respiratory control ratio, uncoupled respiration, and adenosine diphosphate/oxygen ratio), in membrane potential; in ATP synthesis; in aconitase activity; and in the activity of respiratory complexes I, III, and IV.

“These results indicate that the protective effect of curcumin in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity is associated with attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction,” the authors write.

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