Protective role of aqueous turmeric extract against mutagenicity of direct-acting carcinogens as well as Benzo[a]pyrene-induced genotoxicity and carcinogenicity

Abstract

Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) has been shown to inhibit chemical carcinogenesis. In this study, we compared the chemopreventive efficacy of an aqueous turmeric extract (AqTE) and its constituents, curcumin-free aqueous turmeric extract (CFAqTE) and curcumin, using the Salmonella typhimurium mutagenicity assay and the bone marrow micronucleus test in female Swiss mice. AqTE exhibited antimutagenic activity against direct-acting mutagens, 4-nitro-O-phenylenediamine and 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine, in strains TA 98 and TA 100 respectively. Both AqTE and CFAqTE inhibited the mutagenicity of benzo [alpha]pyrene in the two strains in the presence of Aroclor-1254-induced rat liver homogenate. The inhibition in both studies was dose-dependent. Administration of AqTE, CFAqTE and curcumin at a dose of 3 mg/animal 18 h prior to i.p. benzo [alpha]pyrene injection (250 mg/kg) significantly inhibited bone marrow micronuclei formation in female Swiss mice by 43%, 76%, and 65% respectively. Furthermore, the incidence and multiplicity of forestomach tumours induced by benzo [alpha]pyrene (1 mg/animal, twice weekly, p.o. for 4 weeks) in female Swiss mice were significantly inhibited by AqTE, CFAqTE and curcumin given 2 weeks before, during and after the carcinogen treatment. These data indicate that the protection against genomic damage by turmeric extract and its components tested could be necessary for some aspects of its cancer chemoprevention.

Ethnicity and H. Pylori as Risk Factors for Gastric Cancer in Malaysia: A Prospective Case Control Study

“…Among Indians, intake of curries, which is a staple of the Indian diet, is high. Curcumin, which is an active ingredient of turmeric powder used in curries, has been shown to have a protective effect against GCA (23,24). In our study, we have attempted to define the amount of chili taken by patients and controls, which we have defined broadly as daily intake, occasional intake versus no intake, or chilies used as condiments only.…”

Inhibitory effects of phytopolyphenols on TPA‐induced transformation, PKC activation, andc‐junexpression in mouse fibroblast cells

“…Rutin can inhibit lung metastasis in mice induced by B/6F10 melanoma cells (16). Curcumin, when administered intraperitoneally, can act as an effective chemopreventive agent toward DMBA-induced rat mammary tumorigenesis and mammary gland DNA-DMBA adduct formation (17), and it can inhibit 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced skin tumor promotion in mice (18), reduce the frequency of colon adenocarcinoma in rats (19), act as an anticarcinogenic agent (20)(21)(22), and decrease the levels of benzo[a]pyrene-induced DNA adducts in the livers of rats (23,24). Additionally, curcumin has potent effects on TPA-induced transformation of cultured JB6(P + ) cells (25).…”

Antimutagenic potential of curcumin on chromosomal aberrations in Allium cepa

“…Studies suggest that turmeric, a potent antimutagen against methyl cholanthrene, 4-nitro-ophenylene diamine (NPD), diamino fluorine, urethane (a powerful mutagen) and benzo(a)pyrene (BAP) (Polasa et al, 1991;Azuine et al, 1992;el Hamss et al, 1999). This beneficial effect of turmeric has been postulated to be due to (Pulla Reddy and Lokesh, 1994) curcumin (CUR), the active ingredient of turmeric plant (Curcuma longa Linn; Zingiberaceae).…”