Protective in vivo effect of curcumin on copper genotoxicity evaluated by comet and micronucleus assays

In vitro and in vivo assessment of indomethacin-induced genotoxicity: protection by curcumin

Background and purpose

Indomethacin is one of the most widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of curcumin against indomethacin-induced genotoxicity.

Experimental approach

For in vitro studies, human peripheral blood lymphocytes were obtained from a healthy volunteer and treated for 24 h as follows: vehicle control, indomethacin at 100 and 200 μΜ, indomethacin (100 μM and 200 μM) plus curcumin (27 μM). For in vivo experiments, mice received a single i.p dose of curcumin (100 mg/kg) and after 30 min genotoxicity induction was carried out by a single i.p injection of indomethacin at 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg. After 24 h, bone marrow cells were obtained from mice femurs. Genotoxicity was evaluated using a micronucleus assay. Oxidative damage was also inspected both in vitro and in vivo.

Findings/Results

In-vitro studies indicated that co-treatment with curcumin caused a significant decrease in the average micronuclei percentage and MDA level, and a significant increase in GSH concentration compared to the groups treated only with indomethacin. In-vivo findings revealed that pretreatment with curcumin induced a significant increase in the average ratio of polychromatic erythrocyte/normochromic erythrocyte, GSH concentration and caused a significant decrease in the average percentage of micronuclei and MDA level, in comparison with the group treated only with indomethacin.

Conclusion and implications

Curcumin attenuated indomethacin-induced genotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo. These effects might be partially exerted by decreasing oxidative stress. Further studies are required to elucidate the exact genoprotective mechanism of curcumin against indomethacin.

Rescue effect of curcumin against copper toxicity

Turmeric has long been used not only as an indispensable part of Asian cuisine but as a medicinal herb for dressing wounds, bites, burns, treating eye infections and acne. Curcuminoids are the active substances and their synthetic derivatives (i.e. diacetylcurcumin (DAC) and metal-curcumin complexes) possess an incredibly wide range of medicinal properties that encompass chelation capacity for multiple heavy metals, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory properties, cytotoxicity against cancerous cells, antiviral and antibacterial effects, antihypertensive and insulin sensitizing role, and regulatory role on apoptosis. The aforementioned properties have put curcumin on spotlight as a potential treatment for ailments such as, hepatic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, auto-immune diseases, malignancies and conditions associated with metal overload. Copper is essential for major biological functions, however, an excess causes chronic ailments including neurodegenerative disorders. The fascinating approach of curcumin could alleviate such effect by forming a complex. Thus, this review aims to present available data on the effect of copper-curcumin interaction in various in vitro, ex-vivo in vivo, and clinical studies.

Mitigating the Growth, Biochemical Changes, Genotoxic and Pathological Effects of Copper Toxicity in Broiler Chickens by Supplementing Vitamins C and E

Simple Summary

Copper (Cu) is a trace element necessary for biological utility; nevertheless, it can produce significant harmful impacts when existing in abundance. This study examined the efficiency of vitamin C and vitamin E in alleviating the biochemical, genotoxicity, and pathological alterations in the liver induced by copper sulfate (CuSO₄) toxicity in chickens. The broilers were fed on five experimental diets; basal diet with no additives or basal diets supplemented with 300 mg CuSO₄/kg, CuSO₄ + 250 mg Vit. C/kg diet, CuSO₄ + 250 mg Vit. E/kg diet, CuSO₄ + 250 mg Vit. C/kg diet + 250 mg Vit. E/kg diet for six weeks. The obtained results suggested that addition of vitamin C and E, especially in combination, was beneficial for alleviating the harmful effects of CuSO₄ toxicity on growth performance and liver histoarchitecture in broiler chickens.

Abstract

This experiment was carried out to explore the efficiency of an individual or combined doses of vitamin C (Vit. C) and vitamin E (Vit. E) in alleviating biochemical, genotoxicity, and pathological changes in the liver induced by copper sulfate (CuSO₄) toxicity in broiler chickens. Two hundred and fifty-one-day-old broiler chicks were haphazardly allotted into five groups (five replicates/group, ten chicks/replicate). The birds were fed five experimental diets; (1) basal diet with no additives (CON), (2) basal diets supplemented with 300 mg CuSO₄/kg diet (CuSO₄), (3) basal diets supplemented with 300 mg CuSO₄/kg diet + 250 mg Vit. C /kg diet, (4) basal diets supplemented with 300 mg CuSO₄/kg diet +250 mg Vit. E /kg diet, (5) basal diets supplemented with 300 mg CuSO₄/kg diet + 250 mg Vit. C /kg diet + 250 mg Vit. E /kg diet for six weeks. The results displayed that CuSO₄-intoxicated birds had significantly (p < 0.05) decreased bodyweight, weight gain, and feed intake with increased feed conversion ratio from the 2nd week till the 6th week compared with the CON. However, these changes were minimized by single or combined supplementation of vitamin C and E. The FCR was insignificantly different in birds-fed diets complemented with vitamin C and E singly or in combination from the 3rd week of age compared to the CON. Serum aminotransferases (ALT, AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were elevated in CuSO₄-intoxicated birds (p < 0.05). Additionally, they showed a drop in serum total protein (TP), albumin, globulins, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels compared to the CON (p < 0.05). Concomitantly, histopathological and DNA changes were perceived in the liver of CuSO₄-intoxicated birds. Co-supplementation of Vit. C and Vit. E single-handedly or combined with CuSO₄-intoxicated chickens enhanced the performance traits and abovementioned changes, especially with those given combinations of vitamins. From the extant inquiry, it could be established that supplementation of vitamin C and E was beneficial for mitigating the harmful effects of CuSO₄ toxicity on growth performance and liver histoarchitecture in broiler chickens.

Curcumin Ameliorates Copper-Induced Neurotoxicity Through Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Apoptosis in SH-SY5Y Cells

Impaired homeostasis of copper has been linked to different pathophysiological mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases and oxidative injury has been proposed as the main mechanism. This study aims to use curcumin, a widely used antioxidative and anti-apoptotic agent, to exert the neuroprotective effect against copper in vitro and illuminate the underlying mechanism. The effect of curcumin was examined by using a cell counting kit-8 assay, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, spectrophotometer, and western blot. Results revealed that after pretreatment with curcumin for 3 h, copper-induced toxicity and apoptosis show a significant decline. Further experiments showed that curcumin not only decreased the production of ROS and MDA but also increased the activities of the ROS scavenging enzymes SOD and CAT. Moreover, curcumin treatment alleviated the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and the nuclear translocation of cytochrome c induced by copper. The protein levels of pro-caspase 3, pro-caspase 9, and PARP1 were up-regulated and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was down-regulated in the presence of curcumin. Taken together, our study demonstrates that curcumin has neuroprotective properties against copper in SH-SY5Y cells and the potential mechanisms might be related to oxidative stress and mitochondrial apoptosis.

Pulmonary toxicity of synthetic amorphous silica - effects of porosity and copper oxide doping

Materials can be modified for improved functionality. Our aim was to test whether pulmonary toxicity of silica nanomaterials is increased by the introduction of: a) porosity; and b) surface doping with CuO; and whether c) these modifications act synergistically. Mice were exposed by intratracheal instillation and for some doses also oropharyngeal aspiration to: 1) solid silica 100 nm; 2) porous silica 100 nm; 3) porous silica 100 nm with CuO doping; 4) solid silica 300 nm; 5) porous silica 300 nm; 6) solid silica 300 nm with CuO doping; 7) porous silica 300 nm with CuO doping; 8) CuO nanoparticles 9.8 nm; or 9) carbon black Printex 90 as benchmark. Based on a pilot study, dose levels were between 0.5 and 162 µg/mouse (0.2 and 8.1 mg/kg bw). Endpoints included pulmonary inflammation (neutrophil numbers in bronchoalveolar fluid), acute phase response, histopathology, and genotoxicity assessed by the comet assay, micronucleus test, and the gamma-H2AX assay. The porous silica materials induced greater pulmonary inflammation than their solid counterparts. A similar pattern was seen for acute phase response induction and histologic changes. This could be explained by a higher specific surface area per mass unit for the most toxic particles. CuO doping further increased the acute phase response normalized according to the deposited surface area. We identified no consistent evidence of synergism between surface area and CuO doping. In conclusion, porosity and CuO doping each increased the toxicity of silica nanomaterials and there was no indication of synergy when the modifications co-occurred.

Resveratrol ameliorates the physiological, biochemical, cytogenetic, and anatomical toxicities induced by copper(II) chloride exposure in Allium cepa L

Excessive copper (Cu) exposure ultimately results in toxicosis in all organisms. The protective potential of resveratrol compound against the CuCl₂ toxicity was evaluated in Allium cepa L. root tip cells. For this aim, A. cepa bulbs were divided into six groups and the groups were treated with tap water, 400 mg/L resveratrol, 800 mg/L resveratrol, 20 μM CuCl₂, 400 mg/L resveratrol + 20 μM CuCl₂, and 800 mg/L resveratrol + 20 μM CuCl₂ solutions, respectively for 72 h. The first group irrigated with tap water was accepted as control. All groups were screened for the germination percentage, root elongation, total bulb weight gain, micronucleus (MN) frequency, mitotic index (MI), chromosomal aberrations, and anatomical changes. Furthermore, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) level as an indicator of lipid peroxidation were investigated. It was found that CuCl₂ exposure alone triggered a definite negative effects on all parameters examined. On the other hand, the groups treated with resveratrol did not have statistically different values compared to the control group. Resveratrol doses induced a remarkable recovery in growth parameters including germination percentage, root elongation, and total bulb weight gain when applied with CuCl₂. In these groups, MN frequency, chromosomal aberrations, and anatomical abnormalities were alleviated, whereas the MI levels increased significantly. Moreover, lipid peroxidation level and antioxidant enzyme activities showed a marked amelioration when resveratrol and CuCl₂ were applied together. Copper compounds have become common pollutants due to their direct uses as pesticides in agricultural areas as well as their spreading to natural areas from industrial fields. The study clearly demonstrated the therapeutic potential of resveratrol against the harmful effects of CuCl₂ exposure in Allium roots. So, resveratrol could be considered as a plant-derived restorative agent for the reduction of the risks from the other copper compounds.

Modulatory effect of curcumin against genotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by cisplatin and methotrexate in male mice

The use of dietary antioxidants to modulate the toxic side effects induced by the anticancer drugs used in chemotherapy is currently eliciting considerable interest. This study was undertaken to investigate the possible protective role of the antioxidant curcumin (CMN) against genotoxicity, cytotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by cisplatin and methotrexate. Male mice were administered CMN orally in the dosages of 60, 90, and 120 mg/kg for three consecutive days before a single intraperitoneal injection of either cisplatin (6.5 mg/kg) or methotrexate (10 mg/kg). Animals were sacrificed 24 h after treatment with the used anticancer drugs. The protective role of CMN against the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of the tested anticancer drugs was evaluated by using micronucleus and comet assay. The oxidative stress induced by the two anticancer drugs was assessed by determining malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione levels in kidney tissues. The results indicated that CMN pretreatment at the tested doses reduced the incidence of micronuclei and DNA damage induced by cisplatin and methotrexate. Moreover, malondialdhyde level was significantly decreased while glutathione level was significantly increased in CMN pretreated groups compared with cisplatin- and methotrexate-treated groups. This protective effect of CMN could be attributed to its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species.

Inhalable curcumin: offering the potential for translation to imaging and treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Curcumin is a promising compound that can be used as a theranostic agent to aid research in Alzheimer's disease. Beyond its ability to bind to amyloid plaques, the compound can also cross the blood-brain barrier. Presently, curcumin can be applied only to animal models, as the formulation needed for iv injection renders it unfit for human use. Here, we describe a novel technique to aerosolize a curcumin derivative, FMeC1, and facilitate its safe delivery to the brain. Aside from the translational applicability of this approach, a study in the 5XFAD mouse model suggested that inhalation exposure to an aerosolized FMeC1 modestly improved the distribution of the compound in the brain. Additionally, immunohistochemistry data confirms that following aerosol delivery, FMeC1 binds amyloid plaques expressed in the hippocampal areas and cortex.

Protective effect of curcumin against heavy metals-induced liver damage

Occupational or environmental exposures to heavy metals produce several adverse health effects. The common mechanism determining their toxicity and carcinogenicity is the generation of oxidative stress that leads to hepatic damage. In addition, oxidative stress induced by metal exposure leads to the activation of the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1/antioxidant response elements (Nrf2/Keap1/ARE) pathway. Since antioxidant and chelating agents are generally used for the treatment of heavy metals poisoning, this review is focused on the protective role of curcumin against liver injury induced by heavy metals. Curcumin has shown, in clinical and preclinical studies, numerous biological activities including therapeutic efficacy against various human diseases and anti-hepatotoxic effects against environmental or occupational toxins. Curcumin reduces the hepatotoxicity induced by arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead and mercury, prevents histological injury, lipid peroxidation and glutathione (GSH) depletion, maintains the liver antioxidant enzyme status and protects against mitochondrial dysfunction. The preventive effect of curcumin on the noxious effects induced by heavy metals has been attributed to its scavenging and chelating properties, and/or to the ability to induce the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE pathway. However, additional research is needed in order to propose curcumin as a potential protective agent against liver damage induced by heavy metals.

Curcumin protects against cypermethrin-induced genotoxicity in rats

Cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used worldwide in agriculture, home pest control, protection of foodstuff and disease vector control. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of curcumin on cypermethrin-induced genotoxicity in rats. Administration of cypermethrin (25mg/kg, p.o.) for 28 days resulted in significant increase in the frequency of micronuclei formation in bone marrow cells and DNA damage in blood cells. Curcumin (100mg/kg, p.o.) administration caused significant reduction in micronuclei formation and, marked reduction in DNA damage. The present study revealed that presence of curcumin could diminish cypermethrin-induced genotoxicity in rats.

Curcumin: from ancient medicine to current clinical trials

Curcumin is the active ingredient in the traditional herbal remedy and dietary spice turmeric (Curcuma longa). Curcumin has a surprisingly wide range of beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity. The pleiotropic activities of curcumin derive from its complex chemistry as well as its ability to influence multiple signaling pathways, including survival pathways such as those regulated by NF-kappaB, Akt, and growth factors; cytoprotective pathways dependent on Nrf2; and metastatic and angiogenic pathways. Curcumin is a free radical scavenger and hydrogen donor, and exhibits both pro- and antioxidant activity. It also binds metals, particularly iron and copper, and can function as an iron chelator. Curcumin is remarkably non-toxic and exhibits limited bioavailability. Curcumin exhibits great promise as a therapeutic agent, and is currently in human clinical trials for a variety of conditions, including multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer, myelodysplastic syndromes, colon cancer, psoriasis and Alzheimer's disease.