Effects of curcumin on lipid profile and lipid peroxidation status in experimental hepatic fibrosis

Chronic administration of carbon tetrachloride caused liver fibrosis in rats. Carbon tetrachloride-induced fibrosis was found to significantly elevate the marker enzymes, serum transaminases and alkaline phosphatase as well as lipid peroxidation end product, malondialdehyde or thiobarbituric acid reactive substance in the liver. Fibrosis also caused increase in the serum and tissue cholesterol and decreased tissue phospholipids and free fatty acids. Histopathological examinations also confirm the severe hepatological damage occurred as a consequence of carbon tetrachloride-induced fibrosis. Treatment of curcumin to the fibrotic rats showed a significant improvement after hepatic damage as well as restoration of lipid profile, marker enzymes and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances towards normal.