Comparative effects of curcumin and an analogue of curcumin in carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

We have evaluated the comparative effect of curcumin (diferuloyl methane) and its analogue [bis-1,7-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione] (BDMC-A) on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Administration of carbon tetrachloride (3 ml/kg/week) for three months significantly (P < 0.05) increased the levels of marker enzymes such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). The levels of plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lipid hydroperoxides were also significantly (P < 0.05) increased. We have observed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the levels of plasma reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C and vitamin E. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the levels of TBARS and hydroperoxides in liver and kidney and a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the activities of enzymic antioxidants- superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and GSH peroxidase along with GSH in CCl4-treated rats. Oral administration of curcumin and BDMC-A to CCl4-induced rats for a period of three months significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the levels of marker enzymes, plasma TBARS and hydroperoxides and increased the levels of plasma and tissue antioxidants. Histopathological studies of liver also showed protective effect of curcumin and BDMC-A. We have observed thickening of blood vessels and microvesicular fatty changes around the portal triad in CCl4-treated rat liver. Treatment with curcumin showed only mild sinusoidal dilatation while with BDMC-A there was only mild portal inflammation. The effect exerted by BDMC-A was found to be more promising than curcumin.