Curcumin protects heart tissue against irinotecan-induced damage in terms of cytokine level alterations, oxidative stress, and histological damage in rats.

Irinotecan (CPT-11), commonly used in the treatment of many cancer types, may have several side effects that limit the use of CPT-11 in specific tissues such as the heart. In the current study, positive effects of curcumin (CRC) was determined in terms of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties against heart damage, caused by CPT-11, in rats. Rats were divided randomly into four equal groups (Control, CPT-11, CRC, and CPT-11 + CRC). CPT-11 10 mg/kg/day was administered intraperitoneally and CRC 100 mg/kg-1 was given orally. Blood and tissue samples were collected from all groups at day 30 for the detection of oxidative stress, histological changes, and cytokine levels. Results showed that CPT-11 caused dramatic changes in heart tissue for oxidative stress parameters (TBARS, SOD, CAT, GSH, and GPx levels), histological tissue damage, and cytokine levels (TNF and IL-4). CRC therapy reversed the elevated oxidative stress, histological tissue damages, and immunological changes and protected cardiac tissue against CPT-11 toxicity when given together with CPT-11.In conclusion, CPT-11 caused adverse effects on cytokine levels, histological alterations, and oxidative stress in rats. However, CRC treatment eliminated these toxic effects with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, these results suggest that CRC may play a protective role against CPT-11 toxicity in heart tissue of rats.