A comparative study of hepatoprotective effect of curcumin with n-acetyl cysteine and their simultaneous administration in acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity

Introduction: The available therapeutic option in acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) has potential side effects. Curcumin has shown hepatoprotective effect in animal models. Objective: To compare hepatoprotective efficacy of curcumin with NAC and their simultaneous administration in acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity. Materials and Methods: Hepatotoxicity was induced in Wistar rats by acetaminophen (2000 mg/kg). NAC (300 mg/kg) was used as standard control in study. Curcumin was administered in doses of 300, 600 and 900 mg/kg. After evaluation of best maximal effective dose of curcumin, drugs were co-administered in half doses and full doses of each in different groups. Hepatic transaminases, liver tissue MDA and GSH content, histological examination were variables assessed. Results: Lowering of enzyme levels in curcumin and co-administration of curcumin and NAC group were similar to NAC treated group. Co-administration of curcumin and NAC group had comparable levels of MDA to curcumin treated alone groups. Co-administration of NAC and curcumin had significantly higher GSH compared to NAC used alone. Histopathological examination scores in these groups were comparable. Conclusion: Co-administration of NAC and curcumin in half doses of each drug, in acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats, has a comparable hepatoprotective effect to NAC or curcumin used alone.