Background: Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential heavy metal that is toxic to humans. Liver damage is one of chronic Cd
exposure's most serious side effects. Curcumin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics that make it good
preventive therapy. Unfortunately, it has poor bioavailability due to its low solubility in aqueous solutions. However, its
nanoparticle formulations improve absorption by 10–14 times. Therefore, the present study was performed to evaluate the
possible protective effect of curcumin and nanocurcumin on Cd-induced liver damage in adult male albino rats.
Materials and Methods: Forty-two male albino rats were used in this study. Rats were divided into 6 main groups. Cd-treated
group received 5mg /kg Cd dissolved in saline orally, once daily alone or associated either curcumin or nanocurcumin dissolved
in phosphate buffer in a dose 100mg /kg, orally once daily for 28 days. The appropriate controls were included. Animals were
scarified and livers were harvested and processed for histological, immunohistochemical and morphometric assessments.
Results: Cd caused damage to liver tissues in the form of blood sinusoid congestion and hepatocyte vacuolation with pyknotic
nuclei. Moreover, there was inflammatory cell infiltration and increased collagen deposition. Immunohistochemistry revealed
a strong positive Bax immunoreactivity in cadmium group. Oral administration of curcumin and nanocurcumin significantly
attenuated hepatotoxicity with a concomitant reduction in Bax immunoreactivity.
Conclusion: Administration of curcumin and nanocurcumin demonstrated beneficial effects on Cd-induced hepatic histological
alterations. Moreover, nano curcumin administration showed a more ameliorative effect on the histological structure of Cdinduced
hepatic toxicity.