Effect of curcumin on the antiepileptic drug, carbamazepine induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats

Abstract

Carbamazepine (CZ) is a known antiepileptic drug. The present investigation studied the effect of curcumin on CZ –induced hepatotoxicity. Male albino rats were divided into 4 groups. Group I, served as a control. Group II, rats were orally administrated curcumin at a dose of 150 mg/kg body weight for 5 weeks. Group III, Animals were orally administrated with CZ at a dose level 50 mg/kg body weight, daily for 5 weeks. Group IV, rats were administrated CZ and curcumin daily for 5 weeks.CZ treatment showed a marked deterioration of liver structure where the hepatocytes were degenerated and appeared with cytoplasmic vacuolation and pyknotic nuclei. The blood vessels were congested, leucocytic infiltrations were observed. An increase in the levels of serum AST and ALT was recorded. Also a significant decrease in liver antioxidant enzymes, SOD and CAT, and increase in MDA was observed.  These results indicated the oxidative damage as a result of CZ-induced liver injury. Treating animals with CZ and curcumin improved the histological structure of the live, increased SOD and CAT, and decreased lipid peroxidation.