Modulatory Effects of Curcumin on Redox Status, Mitochondrial Function, and Caspace-3 Expression During Atrazin-Induced Toxicity

Atrazine is currently the most widely used herbicide in agriculture with lots of adverse effects on human health. Curcumin is a polyphenol known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. In the present study, the protective effect of curcumin on atrazin-intoxicated rats is evaluated. Toxicity was induced by oral administration of atrazine (400 mg/kg/day) for 3 weeks. Curcumin at a dose of 400 mg/kg/day was given simultaneously by oral route. Redox status, mitochondrial function, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) level by immunoassay, and caspace-3 expression by immunohistochemistry were evaluated. Curcumin showed significant cardiac protection with improvement of redox status, mitochondrial function, 8-OHdG level, caspase-3 immunoreactivity, and cardiac muscle degeneration. From this current study, it can be concluded that administration of curcumin improved atrazine-induced cardiotoxicity through its modulatory effect on redox status, mitochondrial function, and caspase-3 expression. (C) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.