Nicotine is a major toxic component of cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoking alters the levels of endogenous
steroid hormones. Curcumin is a well known antioxidant agent.
Aim of the Work: To study the protective role of curcumin against nicotine induced toxic effects on the adrenal cortex.
Materials and Methods: Thirty adult male mice were used and were divided into three groups (10 animals each): The
first group (Group I) served as control group. The second group (Group II) received 2.5mg/kg of body weight (daily
for 4 weeks) of nicotine by subcutaneous injection. The third group (Group III) received curcumin (80 mg/kg) by
intragastric intubation simultaneously along with nicotine for 4 weeks. Specimens of adrenal cortex were processed for
histological study by light and electron microscopes.
Results: In nicotine treated mice, the cells of the three cortical zones (Zona fasciculata in particular) showed apparent
increase in the cytoplasmic vacuolation, mitochondrial degeneration and increased lipid droplets. The nuclei showed
abnormalities in the form of shrinkage, pyknosis and chromatin extension. These cellular changes have been found to
be modulated by curcumin.
Conclusion: Our findings suggested that nicotine has a toxic effect on the adrenal cortex which could be resolved by
concomitant administration of curcumin.