Evaluation of antioxidant properties of curcumin for the management of lead exposed in mice

Antioxidant activities of curcumin was very strong (IC₅₀ = 9.27 µg/mL) were evaluated by2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The purpose of this study is to determine the antioxidant effect of the curcumin in lead-acetate induced mice based on superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), the number of leukocyte cells, and the hepatosomatic index. Twenty-five BALB/c strain mice were divided into five groups. P1 (control), P2 (Pb 75 mg/kg BW), P3 (Pb 150 mg/kg BW), P4 (Pb 75 mg/kg BW + curcumin 20 ppm), P5 (Pb 150 mg/kg BW + curcumin 20 ppm). Lead acetate exposure and administration of water and curcumin were done orally for 30 days. Subsequently, blood and serum was collected to evaluate the SOD, and complete blood test for the number of leukocyte cells. The results showed that lead exposure significantly reduced SOD levels (in P2 and P3), reduced of the number of lymphocytes (in P2), on the contrary increased granulocytes (in P2 and P3), and there were no significant increase in the weight of liver or hepatosomatic index to comparing P1 (control group). Administration of curcumin significantly could restore SOD activity (in P4 and P5), the number of lymphocytes (in P5) and granulocytes (in P4 and P5), also increased the weight of liver (in P4 and P5) to comparing P1 (control group). Antioxidant activities of curcumin has the potential for the management of exposure.