Potency of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract against aflatoxin B-1-induced hepatocarcinogenesis: Reflection on microsomal biotransformation enzymes

The effect of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract on host detoxifi cation system in aflatoxin B-1 induced hepatocellular carcinoma, which is a vital mechanism in cancer treatment, was studied in male albino rats. Oral administration of nut extract (200 mg kg(-1) body weight per day for 14 da ys) is found to be highly effective in inducing phase I and phase II biotra nsformation enzymes. The obtained results have shown an overall decrease of liver microsomal cytochrome P450, cytochrome b5, NADPH-cytochrome P450 red uctase, NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase, and aniline hydroxylase with a subseq uent decrease of phase II enzymes, glutathione-S-transferase and UDP-glucur onyl transferase in cancer-bearing animals. The Semecarpus anacardium nut e xtract affords anticancer activity by enhancing both phase I and phase II e nzymes to near normal levels. We propose that, much of the anticarcinogenic potency of Semecarpus anacardium nut extract on aflatoxin B-1-induced hepa tocarcinogenesis is mediated through the induction of hepatic biotransforma tion enzymes. (C) 2000 Academic Press.