PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF CURCUMIN AGAINST CADMIUM CHLORIDE INDUCED THYROTOXICITY IN ALBINO RATS

The present study aimed to investigate the time-related evaluation of the cytotoxic effects of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) and its prevention by Curcumin (Cur) in the thyroid gland of rats at two intervals. In this experiment, male Wistar albino rats were divided randomly into five groups (n=5), the first group (G1) kept as control. The second group (G2) was administrated a single dose of 50 mg/kg bw CdCl2 orally on the first day and left for 15 days. The third group (G3) was administered Cur at a dose of 150 mg/kg bw daily for 15 days. Group four rats (G4) were given a single oral dose of 50 mg/kg bw of CdCl2 on day one and 150 mg/kg bw of Cur daily for the next 15 days. Group 5 rats (G5) were given 150 mg/kg bw of Cur daily for 15 days and 50 mg/kg bw of CdCl2 on the last day. A similar experiment was performed for 30 days as well. After the treatment period, blood and thyroid tissue from each rat were processed for hormonal and biochemical analysis. In Cd-exposed rats, serum hormones (T3, T4 and TSH) showed significant deviation from normal, increased MDA content and lower activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) were evaluated as compared to control at both the intervals. In Cur supplemented rats, a significant improvement was observed at both the intervals of the experiment in comparison to Cd treated groups. Thus, Cur has the potential to combat Cd-induced oxidative stress and its effect becomes progressive with time.