Figure 5.

Effects of curcumin treatment on ultrastructural changes in BaP -induced lung tissue: (a) control group: lung tissue structure was normal and Normal alveolar space (AS), presence of vacuole (V). There is intact capillary endothelium submerged with alveolar epithelium i.e., normal condition, normal cell membrane of (Type I and Type-II) alveolar epithelial cell (PnI and PnII) and vacuole (V); (b) BaP -induced group showed marked irregular and degraded arrangement of microvilli(arrow), the cytoplasmic contents(arrow) escapes into the alveolar lumen, necrotic degenerative changes and ruptured cell membrane of (Type-II) alveolar epithelial cell (PnII). There is a condensed nucleus and dilated vesicles of rough endoplasmic reticulum showing compression of the interalveolar spaces that appears as clefts (green arrow); (c) benzopyrene plus curcumin treated group: Less necrotic degenerative changes and normal cell membrane of (Type-II) alveolar epithelial cell (PnII). Normal gas barrier facing alveolar lumen (A); red blood cells are seen in the capillary lumen (RBC). Decreased vacuolization, lung showing compression of the interalveolar spaces which appear as clefts (green arrow); (d) curcumin (50 mg/kg bw) group: the alveolar lumen (AS), contains normal red blood cells (RBC), a granulated cytoplasm normal. Regular arrangement of microvilli normalization and Normal Alveolar spaces with intact Blood gas barriers (arrow) and presence of less RBCs.