Curcumin nanoparticles loaded hydrogels protects against aflatoxin B1-induced genotoxicity in rat liver

The current study aimed to evaluate the protective role of curcumin nanoparticles loaded hydrogels (Cur-NPs-Hgs) against AFB(1)-induced genotoxicity in rat liver. Animals were divided into 7 treatment groups and treated orally for 3 weeks as follow: the control group, the group treated with Hgs alone (0.5 ml/rat), the groups treated with low or high dose of Cur-NPs-Hgs (100 or 200 mg/kg b.w), the group treated with AFB(1) (0.125 mg/kg b.w) and the groups treated with AFB(1) plus the low or high dose of Cur-NPs-Hgs. Blood ant liver samples were collected for different biochemical, genetical, histological and histochemical analysis. The results revealed that the prepared Cur-NPs have nearly spherical shape with average size of 140 +/- 20 nm and negative zeta potential value of 30.7 +/- 2.57 mV. The in vivo results showed that treatment with AFB(1) decreased the body weight accompanied biochemical, genotoxicity and histological disturbances. The combined treatment with AFB(1) and Cur-Nps-Hgs at the two tested doses succeeded to induce a significant protection against AFB(1). It could be concluded that Cur-NPs-Hgs is a promise candidate to protect against AFB(1)-induce liver damage in the high incidence area. Moreover, Hgs are excellent candidates as drug delivery system. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.