Abstract

BIO-REMEDIAL EFFECT OF CURCUMA LONGA ON ESTROGEN AND SUB-CELLULAR STRUCTURES OF OVARIES OF PESTICIDE EXPOSED MICE

Anshupriya* and Preety Sinha

Abstract

Pesticides are some of the most frequently released toxic chemicals into the environment. Although the use of pesticides enhances crop productivity, human beings also pay a price for the benefits. Chlorpyrifos (an organophosphate) is a broad-spectrum insecticide against a variety of insects and mites in agriculture and allied sectors. After absorption through the guts and lungs, it rapidly distributes to all organs exerting damaging effects at cellular and sub-cellular levels. The present work is designed to study the bio-remedial effect of Curcuma longa (Turmeric) on estrogen and sub-cellular structure of ovary of Chlorpyrifos exposed Swiss albino mice. Chlorpyrifos administration at 6 mg/kg b.w./day for 8 weeks was followed by 8 weeks administration of alcoholic rhizome extract (5% Ethanol) of Curcuma longa at 50 mg/kg b.w./day. Estrogen level was increased in Chlorpyrifos administered group while it gradually decreased in Curcuma longa administered group. Degeneration of nucleus, nuclear membrane, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex was observed in Chlorpyrifos administered group, while Curcuma longa restored mitochondria, nuclear membrane, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex effectively. Thus it is evident from the study that Curcuma longa plays an effective role against Chlorpyrifos induced toxicity on estrogen. It also maintains histology of ovary effectively. It restores cellular and sub-cellular toxicity of Chlorpyrifos exposed ovary effectively and restores normal function of ovary in female.

Keywords: Chlorpyrifos, Curcuma longa, Nucleus, Mitochondria, Estrogen.