Evaluation of the Genotoxicity and Antigenotoxicity of Curcumin by Chromosomal Aberrations and Biochemical Studies in the Albino Rats Exposed to Methotrexate

The present work evaluated the genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity of curcumin, a yellow colouring agent, contained in turmeric (Curcuma longa L., Zingiberaceae) on albino rats. Curcumin has been extensively investigated for its cancer chemopreventive potential. Curcumin also possesses anti-inflammatoiy and antioxidant properties chromosomal aberrations assays were performed to study the genotoxic and antimutagenic activity of the curcumin. Also, biochemical studies of the curcumin was tested by measuring; total protein, cholesterol, glucose testosterone, GOT and GPT. Results showed that dose of 0.5 mg/kg b.w. of the curcumin did not induce any genotoxic effects, but in combined treatment with methotrexate, it significantly reduced methotrexate induced chromosomal aberrations. Moreover, continuous treatments 10 and 20 mg/kg b.w. of curcumin induced chromosomal aberrations alone and in combined treatments with methotrexate. Biochemical analysis showed that the low levels of curcumin non significant alone or combined with methotrexate and high doses of curcumin treatments, show significant increases in the activity of plasma protein liver GOT and GPT, cholesterol and testosterone, singly or combined. From this study we conclude that curcumin shows both genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity depending on its concentration, these results stimulate the interest in sty ding possible new uses of curcumin.