Ameliorating effect of Curculigo orchoides on chromium(VI) induced oxidative stress via, modulation of cytokines, transcription factors and apoptotic genes

The effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Curculigo orchoides on hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) induced toxicity in rats was investigated. Sub-acute toxicity studies were performed by OECD guidelines. K2Cr2O7 (30 mg/kg) was administered to all groups except control group for a period of 28 days by oral gavage. Control group received distilled water; treatment groups received C. orchoides (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg). Cr (VI) administration resulted in up-regulation of serum biochemical parameters such as alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and tissue biochemical markers viz. lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl content. C. orchioides (100 mg/kg) significantly decreased these enzyme levels. The activities of anti-oxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase were significantly decreased by Cr(VI) administration (50.7%, 43.7% and 37.9%, respectively). Further, mRNA expression studies and histopathology studies confirmed Cr(VI) toxicity. In all cases, C. orchioides promoted significant restoration of enzyme levels in a dose dependent manner. These results suggest the ameliorating effect of C. orchoides on Cr(VI) induced oxidative stress is probably via, modulation of cytokines, transcription factors and apoptotic genes. (C) 2017 Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice. Published by Elsevier Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.