title: Hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory properties of aqueous extract of Curcuma longa in carbon tetra chloride intoxicated Swiss albino mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the hepatoprotective and immunotherapeutic effects of aqueous extract of turmeric rhizome in CCl4 intoxicated Swiss albino mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  First group of mice (n=5) received CCl4 treatment at a dose of 0.5 mL/kg bw (i.p.) for 7 days. Second group was fed orally the aqueous extract of turmeric at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw for 15 days. The third group was given both the turmeric extract (for 15 days, orally) and CCl4 (for last 7 days, i.p.). The fourth group was kept as a control. To study the liver function, the transaminase enzymes (SGOT and SGPT) and bilirubin level were measured in the serum of respective groups. For assaying the immunotherapeutic action of Curcuma longa (C. longa), non specific host response parameters like morphological alteration, phagocytosis, nitric oxide release, myeloperoxidase release and intracellular killing capacity of peritoneal macrophages were studied from the respective groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The result of present study suggested that CCl4 administration increased the level of SGOT and SGPT and bilirubin level in serum. However, the aqueous extract of turmeric reduced the level of SGOT, SGPT and bilirubin in CCl4 intoxicated mice. Apart from damaging the liver system, CCl4 also reduced non specific host response parameters like morphological alteration, phagocytosis, nitric oxide release, myeloperoxidase release and intracellular killing capacity of peritoneal macrophages. Administration of aqueous extract of C. longa offered significant protection from these damaging actions of CCl4 on the non specific host response in the peritoneal macrophages of CCl4 intoxicated mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, the present study suggests that C. longa has immunotherapeutic properties along with its ability to ameliorate hepatotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Assam University, Silchar-788 011, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Mahuya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sengupta
authors.forename: Gauri Dutta
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Biswajit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chakraborty
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000633:toxicity; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D009195:Peroxidase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D001663:Bilirubin
keywords: Bilirubin; Curcuma longa; Hepatoprotectivity; Hepatotoxicity; Hepatoxicity; Immune system; Immunotherapeutic agents; Liver function; Morphological alteration; Nitric oxide; Transaminase enzyme; Turmeric rhizome