# Nano-curcumin mitigates aluminum oxide nanoparticle toxicity in Nile tilapia through antioxidant and immune modulation

## TL;DR

Nano-curcumin helps reduce the harmful effects of aluminum oxide nanoparticles in Nile tilapia by boosting antioxidants and immune responses.

## Contribution

This study demonstrates the protective role of nano-curcumin against Al2O3-NP toxicity in fish through experimental validation.

## Key findings

- N-CUR improved growth, feed efficiency, and specific growth rate in fish exposed to Al2O3-NPs.
- N-CUR reduced ALT activity and enhanced immune markers like albumin and IgM.
- N-CUR mitigated histopathological damage and oxidative stress caused by Al2O3-NPs.

## Abstract

Our study investigated the toxicological effects of aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3-NPs) and the potential protective role of dietary nano-curcumin (N-CUR) in juvenile Oreochromis niloticus (30.39 ± 0.05 g) under controlled experimental conditions. It was hypothesized that N-CUR could mitigate the adverse impacts of Al2O3-NPs on growth, biochemical, oxidative, and histopathological parameters. A total of 180 O. niloticus were divided into six groups: a control group, two N-CUR-supplemented diets (40 and 50 mg/kg), an Al2O3-NP-exposed group (10 mg/L), and two co-treated groups receiving both treatments for 4 weeks. Growth performance, biochemical, immunological, antioxidant, and histopathological parameters were assessed. Exposure to Al2O3-NPs markedly reduced growth indices and survivability while elevating ALT activity and pro-inflammatory gene expression (TNFα, IL1β, MT). Antioxidant genes (CAT and SOD) were significantly downregulated, and histopathological lesions, including hyperemia, hyperplasia, and vacuolization, were evident. Conversely, N-CUR co-supplementation significantly improved growth (14.5%–46.1%), feed efficiency (46.7%–74.1%), and specific growth rate (219%–605%). It also reduced ALT (37.7%–40.1%) and enhanced albumin, A/G ratio, and IgM levels (P < 0.05). Overall, these findings indicate that dietary N-CUR attenuated Al2O3-NP-induced oxidative and inflammatory stress, thereby improving the biochemical and histological health of O. niloticus. Hence, these outcomes provide a mechanistic proof of dietary N-CUR’s protective role against toxicity induced by Al2O3-NPs, indicating the need for further investigation in exposure scenarios that are relevant to the environment.