Modulating role of Semecarpus anacardium L-nut milk extract on aflatoxin B-1 biotransformation

As part of a substantial effort to curtail the adverse health effects posed by aflatoxin B-1, studies have been conducted to elucidate the possible me chanism for the anticarcinogenic action of Semecarpus anacardium nut extrac t against aflatoxin B-1-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Rats are monitore d for levels of urinary, serum and liver biomarkers, namely, unmetabolised aflatoxin B-1, and its metabolites aflatoxin M-1, and aflatoxin Q(1), over the course of 2 weeks with nut extract therapy following a single-exposure to aflatoxin B-1. Due to the administration of nut extract, the excretion o f unmetabolised aflatoxin B-1 was increased in day 1 urine when compared wi th rats without drug treatment. In serum and liver which were collected on day 16 and the rest of periodical urine samples showed aflatoxin B-1 and it s metabolites in undetectable levels. The nut extract administration induce d cytochrome P-450, glutathione, and glutathione-S-transferase levels in li ver homogenates of aflatoxin B-1-treated rats. These data seem to indicate that anticarcinogenic action by Semecarpus anacardium nut extract is possib ly via suppression of aflatoxin B-1 activation and through interaction with microsomal-activating components. Previous evidence from this laboratory a bout the potency of Semecarpus anacardium nut extract against aflatoxin B-1 -induced hepatocellular carcinoma together with the present results suggest that extremely effective therapeutic protection can be achieved by this dr ug against aflatoxin B-1-mediated ill effects. (C) 2000 Academic Press.