Curcumin Protects against Arsenic and Cadmium-Induced Lung Toxicity in Rats by Modulating Bax/Bcl-2/caspase-3...

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Pharmacology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Heavy metals like cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) induce significant oxidative stress and lung damage.
• Oxidative stress is characterized by increased lipid peroxidation and reduced antioxidant capacity in lung tissue.
• Cd+As exposure leads to lung inflammation, apoptosis, and tissue damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the protective effects of curcumin (CUR) against Cd+As-induced lung toxicity.
• To evaluate CUR's impact on oxidative stress markers and antioxidant status in rat lung tissue.
• To assess CUR's role in mitigating Cd+As-induced lung inflammation and apoptosis.

Main Methods:

• Wistar albino rats were exposed to Cd+As and treated with varying doses of CUR.
• Lung tissue homogenates were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels.
• Histopathological examination assessed lung injury, inflammation, and apoptosis (Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 expression).
• In silico studies examined CUR and Cd+As effects on CAT and GPx1 enzyme activities.

Main Results:

• Cd+As exposure significantly increased MDA levels and oxidative stress while decreasing GSH, SOD, CAT, and GPx levels in lung tissue.
• CUR treatment dose-dependently prevented Cd+As-induced lipid peroxidation and restored antioxidant capacity.
• Cd+As caused lung congestion, inflammation, alveolar damage, and apoptosis, which were ameliorated by CUR, especially at higher doses.
• In silico analysis indicated Cd+As altered CAT and GPx1 activity, with CUR modulating CAT but not GPx1.

Conclusions:

• Curcumin exhibits significant protective effects against cadmium and arsenic-induced pulmonary toxicity.
• CUR mitigates heavy metal-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in lung tissue.
• CUR shows potential as a therapeutic agent for preventing or treating lung diseases linked to oxidative stress and heavy metal exposure.