title: Turmeric reduces inflammatory cells in hamster opisthorchiasis.
abstract: The curcumin compound from turmeric is effective in the treatment of many inflammatory diseases. The aim of our present study was to evaluate the efficacy of turmeric on reducing the histopathological changes of hamster opisthorchiasis. Hamsters were infected with Opisthorchis viverrini and then administered turmeric. Using light microscopic observation, liver function tests for alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, and direct bilirubin were investigated. The resulting histopathological changes show that turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties--during both N-nitrosodimethylamine administration and O. viverrini infection--by reducing the aggregation of inflammatory cells surrounding the hepatic bile ducts, which correlates with a decreased serum ALT level. The decrease in direct bilirubin levels in the hamsters treated with turmeric suggests that turmeric may enhance biliary contraction. The present study found that turmeric clearly reduces the inflammatory cells in hamster opisthorchiasis at an early stage. This finding may be connected with a reduction in the risk factors of cholangiocarcinoma development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sirintip
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boonjaraspinyo
authors.forename: Thidarut
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boonmars
authors.forename: Chantana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aromdee
authors.forename: Tuanchai
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Srisawangwong
authors.forename: Butsara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kaewsamut
authors.forename: Somchai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pinlaor
authors.forename: Puangrat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yongvanit
authors.forename: Anucha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Puapairoj
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006224:Cricetinae; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry*; D003474:Curcumin / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009889:Opisthorchiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D009891:Opisthorchis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003474:Curcumin