Diethanolamine-Induced Hepatic Steatosis in Mice and Its Amelioration by Curcumin

Abstract Extensive use of chemicals in personal care products has led to many health issues. Diethanolamine is one of such harmful chemicals containing two highly functional groups alcohol and amine that requires toxicological evaluation and its mitigation. Swiss strain albino mice were used and divided into different control and treated groups. Different doses of DEA (110, 165 and 330 mg/kg body weight/day) were orally administered for 30 days. Biochemical and histopathological assessments were performed at the end of the treatment. Results collectively revealed body weight loss as well as significant increase in absolute and relative liver weight in DEA-treated groups. Biochemical analysis revealed that DEA treatment further promotes significant (P<0.05), dose-dependent increase in lipid and cholesterol contents and also cause decrease in protein and glycogen content. Histopathological assessment confirms vacuole formation due to accumulation of lipid within the liver tissue. Administration of curcumin (10, 20 and 30 mg/kg body weight/day) along with high dose of DEA (330 mg/kg body weight/day) showed improved values of lipid, cholesterol, protein and glycogen contents. It also helped retaining normal histological structure of liver. Observations in all groups and results indicate DEA-treatment causes hepatic steatosis and treatment of curcumin attenuated effect of DEA that is due to its potential antioxidant properties.