Turmeric reduces inflammatory cells in hamster opisthorchiasis.
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.
Boonjaraspinyo
Sirintip
S
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
Boonmars
Thidarut
T
Aromdee
Chantana
C
Srisawangwong
Tuanchai
T
Kaewsamut
Butsara
B
Pinlaor
Somchai
S
Yongvanit
Puangrat
P
Puapairoj
Anucha
A
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
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003474:Curcumin