Neeta Mathuria

Safety assessment of a solid lipid curcumin particle preparation: Acute and subchronic toxicity studies

Curcumin, a polyphenol, is obtained from turmeric, the ground rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. Extensive research over the past half century has revealed several health benefits of curcumin. The objective of the present study was to investigate potential adverse effects, if any, of a novel solid lipid curcumin particle (SLCP) preparation in rats following acute and subchronic administration. The oral LD₅₀ of the preparation in rats as well as in mice was found to be greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight (bw). In the subchronic toxicity study, Wistar rats (10/sex/group) were administered via oral gavage 0 (control), 180, 360, and 720 mg/kg bw/day of SLCP preparation for 90 days. Administration of the curcumin preparation did not result in any toxicologically significant treatment-related changes in clinical (including behavioral) observations, ophthalmic examinations, body weights, body weight gains, feed consumption, and organ weights. No adverse effects of the curcumin preparation were noted on the hematology, serum chemistry parameters, and urinalysis. Terminal necropsy did not reveal any treatment-related gross or histopathology findings. Based on the results of this study, the No Observed-Adverse-Effect Level (NOAEL) for this standardized novel curcumin preparation was determined as 720 mg/kg bw/day, the highest dose tested.

Curcumin ameliorates aflatoxin-induced toxicity in mice spermatozoa

OBJECTIVE To investigate the ameliorative effect of curcumin on aflatoxin-induced toxicity in mice spermatozoa. DESIGN Prospective controlled animal study. SETTING University research laboratory. PATIENT(S) Young, inbred, Swiss-strain male albino mice (Mus musculus), weighing approximately 37 to 40 g, were obtained from Cadila Health Care, Ahmedabad, India. INTERVENTION(S) Aflatoxin was orally administered in 25 (low dose) and 50 (high dose) microg/0.2 mL olive oil to each animal, each day (750 and 1500 microg/kg body weight), respectively, with and without curcumin for 45 days. On 46th day the animals were killed by cervical dislocation. The cauda epididymis were removed and weighed, then was teased in normal saline to obtain spermatozoa. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Sperm count, viability, and motility were assessed immediately. Sperm semidried smears were prepared on slides and stained by Papanicolaou stain to study sperm morphologic features. RESULT(S) There was a dose-dependent spermicidal effect of aflatoxin. Sperm count, viability, and motility were statistically significantly reduced. Different morphologic abnormalities were encountered. Treatment with curcumin along with aflatoxin ameliorated aflatoxin-induced sperm count, immobilization, and viability, and improved the morphologic characteristics of the sperm. CONCLUSION(S) Curcumin has an ameliorative effect on sperm parameters and improves morphologic features of sperm in mice.

Effect of curcumin on aflatoxin-induced biochemical changes in testis of mice.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of curcumin on aflatoxin-induced biochemical changes in testis of mice. DESIGN Controlled research laboratory study. SETTING Aflatoxin was obtained by growing Aspergillus parasiticus in SMKY liquid medium. Pure curcumin (97% purity) was purchased from Hi-Media Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India. PATIENT(S) Young inbred, Swiss strain male albino mice (Mus musculus), weighing approximately 37-40 g, were obtained from Cadila Health Care, Ahmedabad, India. INTERVENTION(S) Aflatoxin was administered orally at 25 microg (low dose) and 50 microg (high dose)/0.2 mL olive oil/animal/day (750 and 1,500 microg/kg body weight), respectively, with and without curcumin for 45 days. On the 46th day the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Testis were removed and weighed. Homogenates were prepared for respective parameters such as protein, cholesterol, DNA, RNA, and 3beta- and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Protein, cholesterol, DNA, RNA, 3beta- and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity were measured immediately. RESULT(S) There was a dose-dependent effect of aflatoxin on testis of mice. Protein, cholesterol, DNA, RNA, and 3beta- and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity were reduced significantly by the treatment of aflatoxin; cholesterol was increased. Treatment with curcumin along with aflatoxin ameliorates aflatoxin-induced biochemical changes in the testis of mice. CONCLUSION(S) Curcumin significantly ameliorates aflatoxin-induced biochemical changes in the testis of mice.