Histopathological Experimental Study for CurcuminToxic effect in Lab Animals

Curcumin - the bio active compounds present in spices-turmeric (Curcuma longa), a perennial herb of the family Zingiberaceae. This herb is a native of southern Asia and the East Indies; it is used principally as a constituent of curry powders and other condiments. The major compound, curcumin, provides yellow color in food.Even though this plant has been used for a very long time, there are only a few published articles on its toxicity, and adverse effects were not reported. Therefore,the present studies were conducted to determine the toxicity of turmeric powder in rabbits in order to obtain scientific information about its safety.Toxicity of turmeric powder at(250µg/ml per day) for two weeks was investigated by histopathological changes for (lung, liver, heart and intestine). Rabbits treated with turmeric powder had an organs with epithelial erosion, PMN infiltration referring to acute inflammation, Macrovesicular fatty change associated with metabolic disturbances and is generally readily reversible, whereas microvesicular fatty change is more likely a reflection of toxicity, as well as, increase in the percent of proliferating cells, increasing cells size and change the morphological feature of proliferating cells, where take abnormal shape, compared to the control animals.