Curcumin nanoparticles attenuate propylthiouracil (PTU) mediated hepatotoxicity in male rats via activation of catalase function

Background: Hypothyroidism and Hepatotoxicity are damage to the liver which can occur, for example, due to propylthiouracil (PTU) induced oxidative stress. It could be assumed that natural antioxidants such as curcumin and its nano-formulations like Curcumin-Chitosan nanoparticles (Cur-Cs-NPs) might be protective in this condition. Aims: To evaluate the protective role of Cur-Cs-NPs against PTU-induced hypothyroidism and hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats by assessing biochemical, molecular, and histological parameters. Methods: Fifty-five adult male Wistar rats used, with fifteen in the preliminary trial and forty in the main experiment. The rats were divided into four groups (n=10 each). G1 control, G2 PTU 50 mg/kg B.W., G3 Cur-Cs-NPs 100 μg/kg B.W., and G4 PTU + Cur-Cs-NPs. Treatments administered orally for 28 days. Rhizomes of Curcuma longa used for the synthesis of Cur-Cs-NPs characterized by UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, EDX, and zeta potential analysis. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of catalase (CAT) by ELISA; liver tissues were subjected to an analysis of CAT gene expression using RT-PCR and histopathology by H&E staining. Results: The catalase activity in the PTU group was 10.04 ± 0.66 ng/mL as compared to control 20.84 ± 1.57 ng/mL (p=0.0003), thus confirming oxidative stress. Cur-Cs-NPs alone (G3) increased CAT levels to 25.12 ±2.13 ng/mL while G4 showed partial recovery 14.29 ±0.91 ng/mL CAT mRNA expression followed suit, G1 (1.01 ±0.06 fold), G2 (0.8278 ±0.19), G3 (0 .7837 ±0 .15), and G4 (0 .3945 ± 0 .02). A synergistic suppressive effect when PTU and Cur-Cs-NPs are combined has been inferred from these values. Conclusion: Cur-Cs-NPs proved to be potent antioxidants and hepatoprotective in PTU-induced hypothyroid rats as evidenced by improved catalase activity, modulated gene expression, and regenerative liver histology. Based on these findings, it is recommended that Cur-Cs-NPs could be a possible therapeutic candidate for managing oxidative damage to the liver in hypothyroidism.