Curcumin Reduces Hepatic IL-6 Expression in an L-NAME–Induced Preeclampsia Model in Wistar Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Rizki, Mutiara Putri Nanda (Magister of Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya)
Sururi, Desy Aulina (Magister of Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya)
Rahardjo, Bambang (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya)
Nurseta, Tatit (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya)

Contagion: Scientific Periodical Journal of Public Health and Coastal Health
Vol 7, No 3 (2025): CONTAGION

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication after 20 weeks of gestation characterized by hypertension, proteinuria, and endothelial dysfunction driven by oxidative stress and inflammation. Elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) contributes to hepatic injury and increases the risk of HELLP syndrome. Curcumin, the active compound of Curcuma longa, possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects via inhibition of the NF-κB pathway, potentially suppressing IL-6 expression in hepatic tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of curcumin on hepatic IL-6 expression in an L-NAME–induced preeclampsia model in Wistar rats. A true experimental post-test-only control group design was used with 25 pregnant rats (n = 5/group) divided into a healthy control (K–), a disease model control (K+; L-NAME 125 mg/kg BW), and three curcumin-treated groups receiving 30, 50, and 100 mg/kg BW (P1, P2, P3). IL-6 expression in hepatic tissue was assessed immunohistochemically and quantified using ImageJ software. Data were normally distributed (Shapiro–Wilk p = 0.288) and homogeneous (Levene p = 0.277), allowing one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation analyses (α = 0.05). Mean ± SD hepatic IL-6 expression (% area) was K– = 5.04 ± 2.32, K+ = 62.97 ± 2.71, P1 = 55.45 ± 2.57, P2 = 28.49 ± 4.08, and P3 = 16.46 ± 2.60 (p < 0.001, η² = 0.94). Post-hoc HSD analysis showed significant reductions in all curcumin-treated groups compared with K+, with the highest dose (P3) showing the greatest reduction and values approaching normal levels. A strong negative correlation (r = –0.962, p < 0.001; 95% CI = [–0.99, –0.86]) indicated a clear dose-related trend between curcumin administration and decreased IL-6 expression. These findings suggest that curcumin attenuates hepatic IL-6 expression in an L-NAME–induced preeclampsia model in a dose-related manner, supporting its potential hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory roles against preeclampsia-associated oxidative injury. Keywords:  Curcumin, Immunohistochemistry, Liver, L-NAME, Pregnancy