erythromycin-estolate and tetrahydrocurcumin

Erythromycin estolate (EME), a potent macrolide antibiotic, generates free radicals, but their role in the development of liver toxicity is not yet well understood. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of the antioxidant drug tetrahydrocurcumin (a metabolite of curcumin, the main component of turmeric) against EME-induced lipid peroxidation in rats. The oral administration of combined THC (80 mg/kg body weight) and EME (800 mg/kg body weight) for 15 days significantly decreased lipid peroxidation and enhanced cellular antioxidant defenses when compared with the group treated with EME alone. Supplemental histopathological examination of liver sections revealed that THC had a better antioxidant effect than Silymarin (200 mg/kg body weight), a reference drug. The results of this study indicate that THC affords significant protection against EME-induced lipid peroxidation.

Topics: Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Antioxidants; Catalase; Curcumin; Erythromycin Estolate; Female; Glutathione; Glutathione Peroxidase; Glutathione Transferase; Hydrogen Peroxide; Kidney; Lipid Peroxidation; Liver; Oxidants; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Superoxide Dismutase; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances

Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), one of the major metabolites of curcumin, was investigated for its possible hepatoprotective effect in Wistar rats against erythromycin estolate-induced toxicity. Oral administration of THC significantly prevented the occurrence of erythromycin estolate-induced liver damage. The increased level of serum enzymes (aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP)), bilirubin, cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, free fatty acids and plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and hydroperoxides observed in rats treated with erythromycin estolate were very much reduced in rats treated with THC and erythromycin estolate. This biochemical observation were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver section. Results of this study revealed that THC could afford a significant protection against erthromycin estolate-induced hepatocellular damage. Tetrahydrocurcumin had a better protective effect when compared with Silymarin, a reference drug.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Alanine Transaminase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Bilirubin; Butylated Hydroxytoluene; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Cholesterol; Curcumin; Erythromycin Estolate; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Female; Glutathione; Lipid Peroxides; Phospholipids; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Silymarin; Thiobarbiturates; Triglycerides