Auspicious and Adverse Effects of Curcuma longa L Supplemented Diet on Total Protein and Kidney Injury Molecule-1 in Indomethacin Treated Rats

The influences of Curcuma longa rhizome supplemented diet at different percentages on total protein concentration in serum, selected organs (heart, kidney and liver) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) of indomethacin treated rats were investigated in this study. A total of 35 mature male Wistar rats, weighing between 110 and 160g, were divided into seven groups of five rats each at random. Rats in groups A through D were fed diets supplemented with 1%, 2%, 5%, and 10% turmeric; group E received a pre-treatment of the conventional medication omeprazole (20 mg/kg) orally; and groups F and G received a 28-day supply of regular rat meal. Animals in all groups were then given a single oral dose of indomethacin (60 mg/kg b.w.), fasted for the next day (except group G), and left for six (6) hours before being sacrificed. The effect(s) of turmeric rhizome powder on total protein concentration in serum, the selected organs mentioned above and kidney KIM-1 were determined. It was revealed from this study that there was increased serum total protein concentration of animals in F and D groups compared with animals in groups G and A-C with concomitant decrease in heart and kidney protein activities in concentration dependent manner. However, there was no concomitant decrease in the liver of animals in groups G and A-C. Furthermore, the result also showed a significant
$(P < 0.05)$
increased expression of the kidney injury marker, KIM-1 in groups F and D in comparison with groups G and A-C in dose dependent wise. It can therefore be concluded that consumption of turmeric at 10% of whole recipe can enhance the damaging effect of indomethacin. Nonetheless, inclusion of turmeric powder at moderate concentration between 1-5% at most could mitigate the tissue damaging effect of indomethacin and therefore serve as tissue protective agent.