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Preventive Efficacy of Bulk and Nanocurcumin Against Lead-Induced Oxidative Stress in Mice

Biological Trace Element Research volume 152, pages 31–40 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Chronic lead exposure is associated with several health disorders in humans and animals. Lead exposure leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species and depletes body antioxidant enzymes causing damage to various macromolecules and ultimately cell death. Curcumin has been widely recognized to protect against metal toxicity but has major limitations of reduced bioavailability. Nanoencapsulation of curcumin could be an effective strategy to combat lead induced toxic manifestations. The present study investigates the protective efficacy of bulk and nanocurcumin against lead-induced toxicity. Swiss albino mice were daily exposed to lead acetate (25 mg/kg, i.p.) alone and after 1 h treated either with curcumin (15 mg/kg, orally) or nanocurcumin (15 mg/kg, orally) for two consecutive weeks. The preventive efficacy of nanocurcumin was evaluated against various altered biochemical variables suggestive of oxidative stress and lead accumulation in blood and soft tissues. Coadministration of nanocurcumin with lead restored the altered δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity, glutathione (reduced and oxidized) levels, and also decreased reactive oxygen species, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels. Nanocurcumin due to its possible chelating property and enhanced bioavailability efficiently removed lead from blood and soft tissues compared to bulk curcumin. Results demonstrate the enhanced preventive efficacy of nanocurcumin and suggest an interesting and novel approach for better treatment of lead toxicity.

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Acknowledgments

Authors thank the Director, Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya Bhopal, India, for his interest and support in this study.

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Affiliations

  1. School of Biotechnology, Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal, MP, India

    Gagan Flora, Deepesh Gupta & Archana Tiwari

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  1. Gagan Flora
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  2. Deepesh Gupta
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  3. Archana Tiwari
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Correspondence to Gagan Flora.

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Flora, G., Gupta, D. & Tiwari, A. Preventive Efficacy of Bulk and Nanocurcumin Against Lead-Induced Oxidative Stress in Mice. Biol Trace Elem Res 152, 31–40 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-012-9586-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-012-9586-3

Keywords

  • Nanoencapsulation
  • Nanocurcumin
  • Curcumin
  • Lead
  • Oxidative stress