Immunoprotective effect of curcumin on cypermethrin-induced toxicity in rats

Abstract

Immunotoxicological effects of cypermethrin and their reversal by curcumin following oral administration were evaluated in rats. Mature male Wistar rats were orally administered cypermethrin (25 mg kg⁻¹ body wt), curcumin (100 mg kg⁻¹ body wt) or both daily for 4 weeks. At the end of fourth week, hematological, serum biochemical, and immunological parameters were studied. Subchronic exposure to cypermethrin significantly reduced body weight, total leukocyte count, lymphocyte count, serum total protein, serum albumin, serum globulin, antibody titer against sheep red blood cells, and cell-mediated immunity. Concomitant curcumin administration restored the changes in the body weight, hematological parameters, and serum biochemical indices and significantly increased the antibody titer, and cell mediated immunity. These results suggest that concurrent curcumin treatment has a beneficial role in mitigating immunotoxicological and other adverse effects of cypermethrin.

Keywords:

• cypermethrin
• curcumin
• immunoprotecion
• rats

Acknowledgments

The first author is grateful for the Junior Research Fellowship awarded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. The authors are thankful to the Director, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, for providing necessary facilities. The authors are grateful to M/S Gharda Chemicals, Mumbai for providing technical grade cypermethrin.