Curcumin confers hepatoprotection against AFB-induced toxicity via activating autophagy and ameliorating inflammation involving Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

The current study demonstrated curcumin intervention against AFB-indeuced hepatotoxicity. The hallmarks of autophagy and inflammation were assessed by transmission electron microscopy, RT-PCR and western blot. Besides, normal cellular morphology, autophagosomes were found in control and curcumin control group. In contrast, fragmented and swollen mitochondria, irregular shaped nuclei and fat droplets were visible but autophagosomes disappear in AFB-treated group. The mRNA and protein expression levels of autophagy-related genes indicated that AFB significantly inhibited autophagy and induced inflammation. In addition, Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA and protein level was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in AFB-fed group. Intriguingly, dietary curcumin supplementation modulated autophagy through the activation of beclin-1, ATG5, Dynein, LC3a, LC3b-I/II and downregulation of p53 & mTOR expression level. Curcumin significantly ameliorated AFB-induced inflammation. Moreover, curcumin treatment significantly (p < 0.05) elevated AFB-induced decrease in Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA and protein expression level. In summary, curcumin activated autophagy and ameliorated inflammation involving Nrf2 signaling pathway which may become a new targeted therapy to prevent AFB-induced hepatotoxicity.