Curcumin protects against cypermethrin-induced genotoxicity in rats.

Cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used worldwide in agriculture, home pest control, protection of foodstuff and disease vector control. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of curcumin on cypermethrin-induced genotoxicity in rats. Administration of cypermethrin (25mg/kg, p.o.) for 28 days resulted in significant increase in the frequency of micronuclei formation in bone marrow cells and DNA damage in blood cells. Curcumin (100mg/kg, p.o.) administration caused significant reduction in micronuclei formation and, marked reduction in DNA damage. The present study revealed that presence of curcumin could diminish cypermethrin-induced genotoxicity in rats.