EFFECTS OF CURCUMIN ON LIPID PROFILE AND LIPID-PEROXIDATION STATUS INEXPERIMENTAL HEPATIC-FIBROSIS

Chronic administration of carbon tetrachloride caused liver fibrosis i n rats. Carbon tetrachloride-induced fibrosis was found to significant ly elevate the marker enzymes, serum transaminases and alkaline phosph atase as well as lipid peroxidation end product, malondialdehyde or th iobarbituric acid reactive substance in the liver. Fibrosis also cause d increase in the serum and tissue cholesterol and decreased tissue ph ospholipids and free fatty acids. Histopathological examinations also confirm the severe hepatological damage occurred as a consequence of c arbon tetrachloride-induced fibrosis. Treatment of curcumin to the fib rotic rats showed a significant improvement after hepatic damage as we ll as restoration of lipid profile, marker enzymes and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances towards normal. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ire land Ltd. All rights reserved.