Curcumin and its Effect on Cytochrome P450 and GST in Toad Liver Tumor Induced by DMBA

Abstract

Curcumin has been used as a colouring agent and spice in many food. The present results clearly demonstrated that toads received 0.5 mg curcumin and 0.5 mg DMBA/toad, 3 times/week for 12 weeks, showed a significant decrease in tumor incidence (3 out of 50 cases) in comparison with that treated with DMBA alone (12 out of 50 cases). At the same time, curcumin reduce the activity of liver microsomal cytochrome P450s and cytosolic GTSS enzymes in toads previously treated with DMBA. The present data suggest that curcumin decrease incidence of liver tumor in toads through inhibition of cytochrome P450 and GST activities. The present report was undertaken for two reasons. First to determine whether curcumin, which are widely used in food have anticarcinogenic effect on the liver of the Egyptian toad. Second, are curcumin effect on microsomal cytochrome P450 and GST activities to shed more light on the mechanisms (s) of action.