Protective Effects of Curcumin against Nephrotoxicity in Male Rats after Chronic Exposure to Chlorpyrifos

Organophosphorus insecticides, widely used in farming and agriculture, have been associated with various health issues. Curcumin, a natural antioxidant, has shown potential in mitigating the adverse effects induced by these insecticides.

This study aimed to evaluate the nephroprotective effects of Curcumin (CUR) against Chlorpyrifos (CPF)-induced renal damage.

Forty male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to five groups, each containing eight rats: control (0.5 mL of olive oil, the solvent for chlorpyrifos), CPF (10 mg/kg of chlorpyrifos), CPF + CUR 25 mg/kg/day, CPF + CUR 50 mg/kg/day, and CPF + CUR 100 mg/k/day. All groups were treated for 90 days. Finally, kidney tissue was assessed for oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, and histopathological changes.

A considerable elevation in urea and Creatinine (Cr) concentrations was observed in the CPF group compared to the control rats (p < 0.01). CUR decreased creatinine and urea levels in the CPF-exposed group compared to the non-CUR-treated animals (p < 0.05). Additionally, the concentrations of NO, MDA, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNFα were significantly increased in the kidneys of the CPF-induced rats compared to the controls (p < 0.001). However, CUR (100 mg/kg) administration significantly reduced the abovementioned parameters in rat kidneys (p < 0.01). CUR (100 mg/kg) also increased superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione concentration in the kidneys of CPF-exposed animals compared to non-CUR-treated rats (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis revealed severe congestion in the kidney tissue after CPF exposure. However, coadministration of CUR restored the normal structure of the kidney in the experimental rats.

Our findings suggest that curcumin, a potent antioxidant, can help alleviate chlorpyrifos-induced nephrotoxicity.