Protective Effects of Embelin and Curcumin against Diethylnitrosamine / Phenobarbital induced Experimental Hepatocarcinogenesis in Rats

Abstract

The effects of administration of Curcumin and Embelin on the levels of certain trace elements and other elements of clinical significance, during experimental hepatocarcinogenesis induced by Diethylnitrosamine/ Phenobarbital (DENA/PB) was studied in Wistar strain male albino rats. The levels of calcium, potassium and sodium were determined in the serum of control and experimental groups of rats. Additionally, the levels of chromium, copper, magnesium, molybdenum and zinc were also determined in the serum, liver and kidney of these rats. Furthermore, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was also assayed in the serum of these rats. Results revealed both significant and non-significant alterations in the levels of few elements during DENA/PB-induced experimental hepatocarcinogenesis. A statistically significant increase in LDH activity was found in the serum during the cancerous condition. Pre- and co-treatment with Curcumin and Embelin was found to protect the liver against the carcinogenic effects of DENA/PB. This protection was i) due to their ability to prevent changes in the levels of elements studied and ii) by the statistically significant decrease in the activity of LDH that increased in DENA/PB-treated rats and LDH activity in the rats given only Embelin and Curcumin indicating their non-toxic effect. Our present results demonstrate the ability of Embelin and Curcumin to protect against DENA/PB-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v5i1.5576 International Journal of Life Sciences Vol.5(1) 2011 51-56