Repeated dose, 28-day oral toxicity study of curcumin, anthocyanins, and sodium nitrite in Wistar rats

The goal of the present study was to examine the repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity of curcumin, anthocyanins, and sodium nitrite in Wistar rats. For this purpose, forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 groups (n = 6 each), encompassing untreated controls and experimental groups treated with curcumin, anthocyanins, and sodium nitrite. Three rats from each group were sacrificed by cervical dislocation under di-ethyl ether anesthesia after 2 and 4 weeks of therapy, respectively. Blood samples were collected for serum chemistry. All of the animals' livers, hearts, and kidneys were removed and sent for histopathological examination. After two weeks of inquiry, certain groups displayed higher hematological values, while others had lower values compared to the control group. AST, CK, and LDH enzyme activity were higher in groups 2–8, but urea concentrations were higher in groups 6 and 8. After four weeks, the Hb, MCH, and MCHC values in group 4 were greater, as were the WBC levels in groups 4 and 6, whereas other groups had lower MCV and WBC values. The weekly body weight gain was insignificantly different between treatment groups. Throughout the experiment, none of the animals perished. Male rats' liver, kidney, and heart underwent histopathological changes after ingesting curcumin, sodium nitrite, and anthocyanin. Based on the findings, rats were more detrimental when curcumin, sodium nitrite, and anthocyanin were ingested together than when they were consumed individually, as evidenced by histopathological abnormalities in the liver, kidneys, and heart. [Display omitted] •Study on Oral Toxicity of Curcumin, Anthocyanins, and Sodium Nitrite in Wistar Rats (n = 48).•Repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity performed according to OECD guidelines.•Results showed higher haematological parameters in some groups than the control group.•Rats were more detrimental when ingested together than individually.