Curcumin Ameliorates Aflatoxin-Induced Changes in Caput and Cauda Epididymis of Mice

Background: The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the ameliorative effect of curcumin on aflatoxin-induced changes in caput and cauda epididymis of mice. Materials and Methods: Aflatoxin was obtained by growing Aspergillus parasiticus in sucrose - magnesium sulphate - potassium nitrate - yeast extract (SMKY) liquid medium. Pure curcumin (97% purity) was purchased from Hi-Media Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India. Young inbred, Swiss strain male albino mice (Mus musculus), weighing approximately 37-40 g, were obtained from Cadila Health Care, Ahmedabad, India. Aflatoxin was orally administered in 25 [low dose (LD)] and 50 [high dose (HD)] ?g/0.2 ml olive oil/animal/day (750 and 1500 ?g/kg body weight) respectively with and without curcumin for 45 days. On day 46, animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Caput and cauda epididymis were quickly isolated, blotted free of blood, weighed and used for biochemical studies. Results: Our results revealed that oral administration of aflatoxin for 45 days caused, as compared with vehicle control, significant reduction in the activities of succinate dehydrogenase and adenosine triphosphatase as well as sialic acid and protein contents in both caput and cauda epididymides. The effect was dose-dependent. Conclusion: As compared with aflatoxin alone treated animals, curcumin administration along with aflatoxin significantly ameliorates aflatoxin-induced changes in caput and cauda epididymis. Ameliorative effect of curcumin on aflatoxin-induced changes in caput and cauda epididymis of mice might be due to its antioxidative property.