ABSTRACT
Using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 100 and TA 1535, the mutagenicity and anti-mutagenicity of extracts of several spices were checked. Spices like pepper, pippali, ginger and mustard increased the number of revertants indicating their mutagenic potential. Garlic extract on the other hand was found to inhibit the mutagenicity produced by direct acting mutagens such as N-methyl N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and sodium azide. Asafoetida and turmetic extract were found to inhibit microsomal activation dependent mutagenicity of 2-acetamidofluorene. Similar results were also obtained using curcumin and eugenol which are phenolics present in turmeric and clove respectively. These results indicated that some of the spices may ameliorate the effect of environmental mutagens especially present in the food.
Subject(s)
2-Acetylaminofluorene/antagonists & inhibitors , Animals , Antimutagenic Agents/pharmacology , Azides/antagonists & inhibitors , Male , Methylnitronitrosoguanidine/toxicity , Mutagenicity Tests , Mutagens/pharmacology , Rats , Salmonella typhimurium/drug effects , Sodium Azide , Spices/toxicityABSTRACT
Effect of oral administration of curcumin (diferuloyl methane) on lipid peroxidation in various organs of mice like liver, lung, kidney and brain was studied in control animals as well as those given carbon tetrachloride, paraquat and cyclophosphamide. Oral administration of curcumin significantly lowered the increased peroxidation of lipids in these tissues produced by these chemicals. Administration of curcumin was also found to lower significantly the serum and tissue cholesterol levels in these animals, indicating that the use of curcumin helps in conditions associated with peroxide induced injury such as liver damage and arterial diseases.