Abstract

Abstract Curcumin (1,6- heptadiene- 3,5 - dione- 1,7 - bis (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) - (1E,6E) or diferuloylmethane), isolated from Curcuma longa, is a highly promising natural compound that has several health benefits. The present study is designed to evaluate the possible protective effects of curcumin against mercuric chloride (HgCl2) induced oxidatively challenged rat. In this study, young male Wistar rats were oxidatively stressed with HgCl2 (5 mg/kg b.w i.p.). One group of rats was simultaneously supplemented with curcumin (340 mg/kg b.w.) to evaluate its protective potential against induced oxidative stress. A significant (p < 0.05) induction in erythrocytes ROS, plasma protein carbonyl (PCO), and sialic acid (SA) along with simultaneous decreases in the level of antioxidants such as Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC) and total thiol (-SH) was observed in the oxidatively challenged rats. Similarly in the erythrocytes membrane, the levels of total thiol (- SH), protein carbonyl (PCO), and sialic acid (SA) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in rats exposed to HgCl2. Furthermore, supplementation of curcumin provided significant (p < 0.05) protection against HgCl2 induced alterations by ameliorating the levels of ROS, PCO, SA, and -SH in erythrocytes membrane and plasma. Thus, the curcumin protects against HgCl2 induced oxidative stress. It also provides an insight into the role of curcumin, a potent constituent of turmeric in pleiotropic health beneficial effects.