Hepatoprotection conferred by curcumin against emamectin benzoate-induced oxidative stress, biochemical, molecular, and histological disturbances in rats.

Excessive use of pesticides frequently contaminates the environment and poses health risks. This study aimed to investigate the potential hepatoprotective effect of curcumin against the toxic effects of emamectin benzoate in rats. Six groups of male Wistar rats were used: control, curcumin (Cur; 200 mg/kg), Emamectin benzoate - low dose (EMB-LD; 5 mg/kg BW), Emamectin benzoate - high dose (EMB-HD; 10 mg/kg BW), Cur plus EMB-LD, and Cur plus EMB-HD, respectively. Rats received their doses orally for 28 days. Results revealed that curcumin possesses high antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by its DPPH, ABTS + scavenging activity, and FRAP chelating capacity. The administration of EMB-LD or EMB-HD elevated lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation and significantly decreased enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Liver enzyme activities and lipid and protein contents in rat serum were markedly altered after EMB treatment. Additionally, pro-inflammatory and apoptosis-related genes, and tissue structure were significantly altered in rats that received EMB. However, rats receiving Cur only enhanced the antioxidant status and reduced oxidation biomarkers. Further, rats that received curcumin and then were intoxicated with EMB exhibited significant modulation in most measured parameters compared with their respective treated groups. Conclusively, rats treated with both low and high doses of EMB showed pronounced hazardous effects in a dose-dependent manner; however, Cur proved its powerful role against EMB hepatotoxicity.