Ultrastructural study on the protective role of turmeric [curcuma longa] and vitamin E against the pathologic effect of N-Nitrosodimethyl amine [NDMN] in rat spleen

ABSTRACT

N-nitrosodimethylamine [NDMN] is known to be carcinogenic to humans in various organs at relatively low levels of exposure. It induces benign and malignant tumors following its administration by various routes, including ingestion and inhalation. Humans may be exposed to N-nitroso dimethyl amine through the ingestion of food that contains it, such as cured meat products, and smoked fish. Other exposures to the chemical may be from drinking contaminated water and from breathing cigarette smoke and contaminated ambient air. Individuals are most likely to be exposed to N-Nitrosodimethylamine in occupational settings such as in the rubber, tannery, fish processing, dye, and surfactant industries. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the toxic effects of the carcinogen N- nitroso dimethylamine on the spleen as a part of the immune system. Also studying the modifying effects of Turmeric or vitamin E on the pathologic action induced by N-nitrosodimethylamine [NDMA]. Five-week-old female rats were divided into 4 groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were given intraperitoneal injections of NDMA [3 mg / kg body weight injection daily for 14 days]. Groupl was injected and fed standered diet, while Group 2 was fed the diet containing 500 part /million [p pm] curcumin during and post-injection while group 3 was Pretreatment with vitamin E, 0.02% w/w of the diet and a 2[nd] dose, 200 mg/kg, given 48 hrs. before nitroso-dimethylamine injection, NDMA. On the other hand group 4 was kept on the basal diet alone without injection and served as an untreated control. Group 1 was sacrificed on the day 15 after injection while the other three groups were sacrificed 8 weeks after injection.A pronounced changes were detected with NDMA, lymphocyte cell injury with inflammatory reaction and necrosis were obvious. Feeding of curcumin significantly decreased the pathological findings found in the lymphocytes cells. Vitamin E could also protect lymphocytes from damage during the necrotizing action of DMNA. The protection was found to be reduction in the induction cellular injury. These findings indicate that curcumin as well as Vitamin E give a good sign of protection against pathologic action induced by N-Nitrosodimethylamine [NDMA]