Protective Effect of Curcumin on Mitronidazole Induced Genotoxicity in Bone Marrow Chromosomes of Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

Curcumin the yellow colored polyphenolic super antioxidant derived from powdered rhizome of Curcuma longa is useful in various debilitating conditions. It is also recommended in cancer prevention and as a treatment adjunct in various diseases. Hence, the aim of the present experimental design was to assess the protective effect of curcumin (CUR) on mitronidazole (MTZ) Induced genotoxicity in bone marrow chromosomes of Swiss albino mice. In the present experiment four batches of Swiss-albino mice were maintained. The experimental group was administered five consecutive oral dose of mitronidazole (50mg/kg/animal/day). The subsequent experimental group was administered curcumin (4.5mg/animal/day) for 9 days and on the 10th day Mitronidazole (50mg/kg/animal/day) was administered for five consecutive days. For each experimental group a parallel control group was maintained, one group administered 0.5ml of Dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) for 14 days the seconded group administered 50 mg/kg b.wt. of MTZ for 9 days. Twenty two hours after the administration of the last dose, mice were sacrificed and air-dried metaphase preparations were made and subsequently assessed for chromosomal damage. In animals treated with only mitronidazole there was a significant decline in mitotic index. The aneugenic property of mitronidazole was distinctly discernible, besides other chromosomal aberrations such as polyploidy terminal deletions and breaks were also observed. In comparison an elevation in mitotic index equivalent to normal group was discerned in animals pre-treated with curcumin and subsequently treated with mitronidazole and an overall decline in the mutation rate was also discernible clearly indicating the protective effect of curcumin.