Turmeric counteracts manganese-associated deteriorations in liver and kidney tissues: histomorphometric and biochemical insights

Nowadays, Manganese (Mn) become an unavoidable ingredient in agriculture, medical and manufacturing industries. Manganese deficiency is rare, and even though recurrent exposure to manganese is inevitable for humans, concerns have been voiced regarding public health hazards. This research was designed to evaluate the manganese toxicity and potential protective effects of turmeric in Swiss albino male mice. Eight-week albino mice (33 ± 01 g) were randomized equally into seven groups (n = 10), as control (untreated), VC-I (received 0.1 ml of saline water), Mn-I, Mn-II & Mn-III administrated manganese (5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg & 20 mg/kg body-weight (B.W.) respectively), Mn + Tu (co-administrated with 20 mg/kg Mn &100 mg/kg B. W turmeric), VC-II (received 0.1 ml of olive oil), orally for four weeks consecutively. Before administrations, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total phenolic content (TPC) and gass chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC- MS) assays were performed to assess the antioxidant capacity of turmeric. After 28 days of dosing, mice were acclimatized for 10 days, then sacrificed and recovered samples (tissues & blood). Morphological observations showed changes in color, shape disruption, dilation and flattening of organs as compared to controls. Morphometric studies showed that the average body weight, organs weight and size of Mn intoxicated mice reduced remarkably (P ≤ 0.05) as compared to control groups. Sideways Mn + Tu group showed non-significant change in both parameters. Hematological (CBC) and biochemical markers, liver function test & renal function test (LFT & RFT) showed significant differences in manganese groups against controls. Histopathological findings of both tissues (liver & kidney) showed multiple anatomic alterations in Mn exposed as compared to other groups. While the aforementioned deviations were less obvious in Mn + Tu administrated group. Manganese also decreased glutathione-s-transferase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione contents and increased lipid peroxidation as compared to control groups. It is concluded by the abovementioned findings that turmeric showed remedial efficacy against Mn-instigated histomorphometric, biochemical and enzymatic alterations in mice.