Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Protective effect of dietary curcumin in Anabas testudineus (Bloch) with a special note on DNA fragmentation assay on hepatocytes and micronucleus assay on erythrocytes in vivo

  • Published:
Fish Physiology and Biochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the safety of long-term dietary curcumin at doses 0.5 and 1 % in Anabas testudineus employing hematological and cytological techniques. The fish were fed with curcumin-supplemented feed for 6 months. Fine blood smears were prepared and subjected to three different staining techniques. The erythrocyte micronucleus frequency (MN) and the cytometric measurements of erythrocytes were determined. Blood from the control and treated fish was subjected to the assessment of several hematological parameters. Also, DNA fragmentation assay on hepatocytes was conducted. The results showed that hemoglobin content, RBC count and hematocrit increased in the curcumin-fed fish compared to control, whereas WBC count, platelet count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were unaffected. WBC/RBC ratio was lower in the case of curcumin-treated fish. The cytometric measurements revealed no change in the erythrocytes and their nuclei after curcumin treatment. DNA fragmentation assay revealed intact DNA in curcumin-fed group, ruling out the possibility of curcumin-induced DNA damage. The positive control group showed a significant increase in MN frequency compared to negative control and curcumin-fed groups. In fact, the MN frequency decreased in 1 % curcumin-fed group compared to the negative control and 0.5 % curcumin groups. All these indicated a state of well-being of the curcumin-treated fish. Therefore, it is concluded that curcumin could be used as a safe feed ingredient to improve the growth of finfish in aquaculture.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adhikari S, Sarkar B (2004) Effect of cypermethrin and carbofuran on certain haematological parameters and prediction of their recovery in a freshwater teleost Labeo rohita (Ham.). Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 58:220–226

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ali FK, El-Shehawi AM, Seehy MA (2008) Micronucleus test in fish genome: a sensitive monitor for aquatic pollution. Afr J Biotech 7:606–612

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen PC, Danforth HD, Augustine PC (1998) Dietary modulation of avian coccidiosis. Int J Parasitol 28:1131–1140

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Antunes LMG, Dias FL, Takahashi CS (1999) Potentiation by turmeric and curcumin of radiation induced chromosome aberration in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen 19:9–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Araujo MC, Dias FL, Kronka SN, Takahashi CS (1999) Effect of turmeric and its active principle curcumin on bleomycin induced chromosome aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Genet Mol Biol 22:407–413

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blasiak J, Trzeciak A, Kowalik J (1999) Curcumin changes DNA in human gastric mucosa cells and lymphocytes. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol 18:271–276

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cao J, Jiang LP, Liu Y, Yang G, Yao X, Zhong L (2007) Curcumin induced genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity in HepG2 cells. Toxicon 49:1219–1222

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chorvatovicova D, Sandula J (1995) Effect of carboxy methyl chitin glucan on cyclophosphamide induced mutagenicity. Mutat Res 346:43–48

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deshpande UR, Gadre SG, Raste AS, Pillai D, Bhide SV, Samuel AM (1998) Protective effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) extract on carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in rats. Ind J Exp Biol 36:573–577

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duncan DB (1955) Multiple range and multiple F test. Biometrics 11:1–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elizabeth K, Rao MNA (1990) Oxygen radical scavenging activity of curcumin. Int J Pharm 58:237–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fenech M, Chang WP, Kirsch-Volders M, Holland N, Bonassi S, Zeiger E (2003) Human micronucleus project: detailed description of the scoring criteria for cytokinesis—block micronucleus assay using isolated human lymphocyte cultures. Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen 534:65–75

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hardy R (1980) Fish feed formulation. Lectures presented at the FAO/UNDP Training Course in Fish Feed Technology, held at the College of Fisheries. University of Washington, Seattle, pp 233–240

  • Harikrishnan R, Balasundaram C (2008) In vitro and in vivo studies of the use of some medicinal herbals against the pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila in Goldfish. J Aquat Anim Health 20(3):165–176

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harikrishnan R, Nisha Rani M, Balasundaram C (2003) Haematological and biochemical parameters in common carp, Cyprinus carpio, following herbal treatment for Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Aquaculture 221:41–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harikrishnan R, Balasundaram C, Dharaneedharan S, Moon YG, Kim MC, Kim JS, Heo MS (2009) Effect of plant active compounds on immune response and disease resistance in Cirrhina mrigala infected with fungal fish pathogen, Aphanomyces invadans. Aquac Res 40:1170–1181

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heddle JA, Hite M, Kirkhart B, Mavournin K, Mac Gregor JT, Newell GW, Salmone MF (1993) The induction of micronuclei as a measure of genotoxicity. Mutat Res 123:61–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Ibrahim MA, Elbehairy AM, Ghoneim MA, Amer HA (2007) Protective effect of curcumin and chlorophyllin against DNA mutation induced by cyclophosphamide or Benzo[a]pyrene. Z Naturforsch 62c:215–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson C (2004) Influence of certain plant extract on growth and metabolism of teleosts (Anabas testudineus and Labeo rohita) and a mammal (Rattus norvegicus). Ph.D. thesis, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

  • Kandarkar SV, Sharda SS, Ingle AD, Deshpande SS, Maru GB (1998) Sub chronic oral hepatotoxicity of turmeric in mice—histopathological and ultrastructural studies. Ind J Exp Biol 36:675–679

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kelloff GJ, Crowell JA, Steele VE, Lubet RA, Malone WA, Boone CW et al (2000) Progress in cancer chemoprevention: development of diet-derived chemopreventive agents. J Nutr 130:467S–471S

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly MR, Xu J, Alexander KE, Loo G (2001) Disparate effects of similar phenolic phytochemicals inhibitors of oxidative damage to cellular DNA. Mutat Res 485:309–318

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Manju M, Sherin TG, Rajeesha KN, Sreejith P, Rajasekharan KN, Oommen OV (2008) Curcumin and its derivatives prevent hepatocyte lipid peroxidation in Anabas testudineus. J Fish Biol 73:1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manju M, Sherin TG, Rajasekharan KN, Oommen OV (2009) Curcumin analogue inhibits lipid peroxidation in a freshwater teleost, Anabas testudineus (Bloch)—an in vitro and in vivo study. Fish Physiol Biochem 35:413–420

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Manju M, Akbarsha MA, Ommen OV (2012) In vivo protective effect of dietary curcumin in fish Anabas testudineus (Bloch). Fish Physiol Biochem 38:309–318

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mersch J, Beauvais MN (1997) The micronucleus assay in freshwater mussel, Dreissena polymorpha to in situ monitor genotoxicity in freshwater environments. Mutat Res 393:141–149

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Minissi S, Ciccotti E, Rizzoni M (1996) Micronucleus test in erythrocytes of Barbus plebejus (Teleosti. Pisces) from two natural environments: a bioassay for the in situ detection of mutagens in freshwater. Mutat Res 367:245–251

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nagabhushan M, Amonker AJ, Bhide S (1987) In vitro antimutagenicity of curcumin against environmental mutagens. Food Chem Toxicol 25:545–547

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Park EJ, Jeon CH, Ko G, Kim J, Sohn DH (2000) Protective effect of curcumin in rat liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride. J Pharm Pharmacol 52:437–440

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramýŕez-Tortosa MC, Mesa MD, Aguilera MC, Quiles JL, Baró L, Ramirez-Tortosa CL et al (1999) Oral administration of a turmeric extract inhibits LDL oxidation and has hypocholesterolemic effects in rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis 147:371–378

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reghunathan I, Paneerselvam N (2007) Anti-mutagenic potential of curcumin on chromosomal aberrations in Allium cepa. J Zhejiang Unv Sci B 8:470–475

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruby JA, Kuttan G, Dinesh Babu KV, Rajasekharan KN, Kuttan R (1995) Anti-tumour and free radical scavenging activity of synthetic curcuminoids. Int J Pharm 131:1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Saroch JD, Nisar H, Shrivastav R, Qureshi TA, Manohar S (2012) Haematological studies of mercuric chloride affected freshwater Catfish Clarias gariepinus fed with Spirulina. J Chem Bio Phys Sci Sec B 2:1862–1869

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shah SL, Altindag A (2005) Alterations in the immunological parameters of tench (Tinca tinca, L.) after acute and chronic exposure to lethal and sub-lethal treatments with mercury, cadmium and lead. Turk J Vet Anim Sci 29:1163–1168

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shukla Y, Arora A, Taneja P (2003) Antigenotoxic potential of certain dietary constituents. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen 1:323–335

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sikora EA, Mijewska B-Z, Magalska A, Piwocka K, Mosieniak G, Kalinowska M, Widlak P, Cymerman IA, Bujnicki JM (2006) Curcumin induces caspase-3-dependent apoptotic pathway but inhibits DNA fragmentation factor 40/caspase-activated DNase endonuclease in human Jurkat cells. Mol Cancer Ther 5:927–934

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smerak P, Polivkova Z, Sestakova H, Stetina R, Barta I, Langova M, Turek B, Bartova J (2006) Antimutagenic effect of curcumin and its effect on immune response in mice. Czech J Food Sci 24:72–83

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Somasundaram S, Edmund NA, Moore DT, Small GW, Shi YY, Orlowski RZ (2002) Dietary curcumin inhibits chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in models of human breast cancer. Cancer Res 62:3868–3875

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soudamini KK, Kuttan R (1989) Inhibition of chemical carcinogenesis by curcumin. J Ethnopharmacol 27:227–233

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Treshiama KC, George J, Kuttan R (1997) Protective effect of curcumin ellagic acid and bixin on radiation induced genotoxicity. J Exp Clin Can Res 7:431–434

    Google Scholar 

  • Unnikrishnan MK, Rao MN (1995) Inhibition of nitrite induced oxidation of haemoglobin by curcuminoids. Pharmazie 50:490–492

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Urbina-Cano P, Morales BL, Herrera MA, Rivera JR, Magna ML, Sanroman R, Rivera A (2006) DNA damage in mouse lymphocytes exposed to curcumin and copper. J Appl Genet 7:377–382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams RC, Metcalfec CD (1992) Development of an in vivo hepatic micronucleus assay with rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri. Comp Biochem Physiol 66:77–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Wintrobe MM (1967) Clinial hematology. Lea and Febiger. Library of Congress, Print USA, Philadelphia, p 1287

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu Y, Chen X, Chen Z, Zeng Y, Shi G, Su Y, Peng X (2004) Curcumin protects mitochondria from oxidative damage and attenuates apoptosis in cortical neurons. Acta Pharmacol Sci 25:1606–1612

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Senior Research Fellowship from Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, to MM, Visiting Professorship from King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to MAA, and infrastructural facilities under the Special Assistance Program (SAP) of University Grants Commission, New Delhi, to Department of Zoology, University of Kerala, are gratefully acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 581, India

    Maniyan Manju & Appiyathu Saraswathy Vijayasree

  2. Mahatma Gandhi–Doerenkamp Center for Alternatives to Use of Animals in Life Science Education, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 620 024, India

    Mohammad Abdulkader Akbarsha

  3. Kerala State Biodiversity Board, Pallimukku, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 024, India

    Oommen Vilaverthottathil Oommen

  4. Department of Zoology, Devaswom Board Pampa College, Parumala P.O., Pathanamthitta (Dist), 689 626, Kerala, India

    Maniyan Manju

Authors
  1. Maniyan Manju
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Appiyathu Saraswathy Vijayasree
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohammad Abdulkader Akbarsha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Oommen Vilaverthottathil Oommen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maniyan Manju.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Manju, M., Vijayasree, A.S., Akbarsha, M.A. et al. Protective effect of dietary curcumin in Anabas testudineus (Bloch) with a special note on DNA fragmentation assay on hepatocytes and micronucleus assay on erythrocytes in vivo. Fish Physiol Biochem 39, 1323–1330 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-013-9786-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-013-9786-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation