Curcumin protects against ketoconazole-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats

Year 2025, Volume: 42 Issue: 2, 133 - 138, 30.06.2025

Bamiwuye Similoluwa , Nwakaego Ebong , Bamiwuye Similoluwa

Abstract

Ketoconazole (KZ) is a broad-spectrum antifungal drug that can cause hepatotoxicity. Curcumin (CM), an isolate of Curcuma longa L. is used in folk medicine to treat various ailments. This study assessed whether CM can protect against a rat model of KZ-induced hepatotoxicity. Thirty healthy adult Wistar rats (220-240g) were randomly grouped (n=5/group) and supplemented orally with CM (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day) prior to the oral administration of KZ (200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. On day 15, the rats were weighed and anesthetized. Blood samples were collected, and sera were extracted for biochemical analyses. Liver samples were excised, weighed and processed for oxidative stress markers and histology. KZ significantly (p < 0.01) decreased body weight and significantly (p< 0.001) decreased liver glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase levels when compared to control. KZ significantly (p < 0.01) increased liver weight and significantly (p < 0.001) increased serum gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, amino transferases, lactate dehydrogenase, total bilirubin and liver malondialdehyde levels when compared to control. KZ caused hepatocyte necrosis. However, CM supplementation significantly restored body and liver weights at 50 mg/kg (p < 0.05), 100 mg/kg (p < 0.01) and 200 mg/kg (p < 0.01) when compared to KZ. CM supplementation restored serum biochemical and liver oxidative stress markers at 50 mg/kg (p < 0.05), 100 mg/kg (p < 0.01) and 200 mg/kg (p < 0.001) when compared to KZ. CM restored liver histology. CM was effective against KZ-induced hepatotoxicity in a dose-related fashion.

Keywords

liver, , toxicity, , ketoconazole. , protection, , curcumin

Ethical Statement

The European Communities Council Directive of 24 November 1986 (86/609/EEC) was carefully and vividly followed during the course of this study as stated in the methodology section.

Thanks

Thanks for the privilege give to us to submit our research work.

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