EFFECT OF TURMERIC ON XENOBIOTIC-METABOLIZING ENZYMES

Diet contains several substances capable of inhibiting chemical carcin ogenesis. It is known that such inhibitors may either act directly by scavenging the reactive substances or indirectly by promoting mechanis ms which enhance detoxification. Turmeric which contains curcumin both in vitro and in vivo is an active antimutagen. Studies were therefore conducted to evaluate the effects of turmeric on xenobiotic metabolis ing enzymes in hepatic tissue of rats fed turmeric ranging from 0.5-10 % in the diet. Enzymes such as aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, UDP glucu ronyl transferase and glutathione-S-transferase were assayed after fou r weeks of turmeric fed diets. No significant differences were seen in the activating enzyme AHH. However, UDPGT was significantly elevated in rats fed 10% turmeric while GSHT registered a significant increase in 5 and 10% turmeric fed diet as compared to controls and 0.5-1.0% tu rmeric fed animals. The results suggest that turmeric may increase det oxification systems in addition to its anti-oxidant properties. Curcum in perhaps is the active principle in turmeric. Turmeric used widely a s a spice would probably mitigate the effects of several dietary carci nogens.