البحث الخامس ( بحث فردى منشور محلى غيرمستخلص من رسالة علمية ولم يسبق تقييمه) Protective effects of curcumin against Augmentin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats Mona A. El Shemy1 1 Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University Aims: Amoxycillin/clavulanic acid (Augmentin®) is an effective antibiotic which was approved by WHO as a drug for treatment of infection. Its efficacy to inhibit microorganisms had led to their increased use. There is a possibility that the drug may have potential toxic effects following consumption. So, we design this study to investigate if the Amoxycillin/clavulanic acid had toxic effects on liver or not and to explore the role of curcumin in the reduction of this toxic effect. Methods: Forty male albino rats were separated into four groups (10 rats per group); Control group, Augmentin group, curcumin group and curcumin protected group. Amoxycillin/clavulanic acid was administered at 31.83 mg/kg b.wt twice for seven days, curcumin was taken at 300 mg curcumin / kg b.wt for two weeks. Results: Amoxycillin/clavulanic acid caused a significant elevation in the level of serum malondialdehyde (53.53±0.43nmol/g). Moreover, it increased the serum ALT activity (104.87±1.01 U/L), AST activity (114.62±0.63 U/L) and TNF-α concentration (39.18±0.84 Pg/ml). But, it decreased serum albumin (2.66±0.08g/dl) and total proteins (3.54±0.05g/dl) levels. Furthermore, it reduced hepatic glutathion (GSH) (11.82±0.15nmol/g) and glutathion peroxidase (Gpx) (0.04±0.08nmol/g). It induced a increase in the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β) (53.53±0.43) with significant reduction in IL4 (53.53±0.43) in the liver homogenate. Histopathological examination of hepatic tissue revealed ballooning degeneration and hepatic damage. However, curcumin alleviated Augmentin-induced liver damage. Conclusions: These results revealed that Amoxycillin/clavulanic acid is a hepatotoxic drug in rats. Meanwhile, curcumin reverses that harmful hepatotoxic effect. Keywords: Antibiotics, antioxidants, hepatitis, anti-inflammatory, cytokines.