ROLE OF CURCUMIN IN ALCOHOLIC HEPATOTOXICITY

We have investigated the antioxidant and hypocholesterolaemic effects of curcumin against alcohol-induced lipid peroxidation and hyperlipida emia. Ethanol-induced liver injury was assessed by the activities of s erum aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase, which were eleva ted in ethanol-treated rats. The liver injury was associated with lipi d peroxidation and a disruption in the antioxidant defence mechanism, as evidenced by raised levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substanc es (TBARS), lowered levels of glutathione and decreased activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Curcumin administration resulted in alkaline phosphatase and aspartate transaminase activities returning to near-normal. Curcumin's antioxidant properties were clearly indicat ed by diminished TEARS levels and raised superoxide dismutase and cata lase activities. The levels of cholesterol and free fatty acids declin ed after curcumin treatment in alcohol-fed rats, showing its hypolipid aemic property. Histopathological studies also indicated the protectiv e role of curcumin against the adverse effect of alcohol. (C) 1998 Lip pincott Williams & Wilkins.