Histological study of the placenta in the rats treated with curcumin and formaldehyde

Background: There is concerns about exposure of pregnant women to formaldehyde. Curcumin is the effective agent in the turmeric. This study was taken to examine the effects of curcumin on the placenta in the formaldehyde treated rats. Materials and methods: For this study, a number of 40 pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided to 5 equal groups, including control, experiment I (the animals which received formaldehyde by intra peritoneal method at 10 mg/kg body weight during 4-17 gestational days), experiment II (animal which received formaldehyde with curcumin at 150 mg/kg body weight), experiment III (animals which received formaldehyde with curcumin at 300 mg/kg) and experiment IV (curcumin at 150 mg/kg body weight by gavage). On the 18th days of gestation, the animals were euthanized and after dissection, the placental specimens were taken and anatomical examinations were done. Then histological specimens were taken and the Hematoxylin-Eosin staining was performed. Then, the histometrical assay was carried out. The results were analyzed by SPSS software and P<0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The results showed detrimental alterations in the placentas from formaldehyde treated group. Curcumin at 150 mg/kg body weight could not ameliorates the formaldehyde toxic effects. Curcumin at 300 mg/kg body weight had ameliorative effects on the gross and histological integrity of placenta. Conclusion: On the basis of the present results, treatment with curcumin at 300 mg/kg could effectively protect placenta during formaldehyde exposure. Therefore, curcumin may be recommended in pregnant women who are exposed to formaldehyde.