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Iron is an essential element in the body, being found in functional form in hemoglobin, myoglobin,
cytochromes, enzymes with iron sulphur complexes and other iron-dependent enzymes. At the same time,
excess iron in the body is associated with toxic effects and posses health problems. The present study was
undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of turmeric against acute iron overload in rats. In this study,
forty male rats were divided into four experimental groups; normal control rats received single i.p
injection of normal saline; excess iron treated rats received single i.p injection of iron dextran 500 mg/kg
b.wt; turmeric treated rats received 1% turmeric powder containing diet 7 day before induction of acute
iron overload and iron plus turmeric treated rats received both turmeric and iron at the same doses
mentioned before. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed, blood samples were
collected, and the liver, testes, kidneys, spleen and heart were separated and saved frozen for subsequent
biochemical analysis. Laboratory investigations consisted of liver function tests (ALT, AST, total
bilirubin, total protein, albumin and globulin) and kidney function tests (urea, uric acid and creatinine),
measurement of lipid peroxidation indices and the antioxidative GST and GPX enzymatic activities and
GSH level. In addition, serum and tissue iron content was determined to test the magnitude of iron
toxicity and the antioxidant potential of turmeric supplementation. Acute iron overload markedly
increased serum and tissue iron concentration and iron profile (TIBC, transferrin and transferrin
saturation), while decreased UIBC level. Iron deposition in liver, kidneys, testes, spleen and heart tissues
associated with oxidative stress and increased malondialdehyde level with significant alterations in
antioxidant status (GST, GPX enzymatic activities and GSH content) indicating severe toxic effect of
excess iron on different organs. Moreover, iron overloaded rats exhibited significant changes in liver and
kidney functions. Treatment with turmeric significantly reduced serum and tissue iron levels, ameliorated
the oxidative stress and antioxidant status, and had protective effect on liver and kidney function. We
concluded that turmeric had a potential chemoprotective effect against acute iron overload which is
attributed to its chelating effect on iron and improvement of antioxidant status.
Keywords: Turmeric, Iron overload, Malondialdehyde, Antioxidant