Turmeric prevents benzene-induced hematoxicity. - GreenMedInfo Summary

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of CYP2E1 enzymatic alteration upon hematotoxicity by benzene poisoning in mice and the interference of alcohol and Curcuma longa. METHODS: Eighty male Kunming mice (KM) were randomly divided into four groups: group A (20 mice injected subcutaneously with sodium chloride 2 ml/kg once every 2 days for 3 weeks as normal control group); group B (20 mice injected subcutaneously with 2 ml/kg benzene once every 2 days for 3 weeks as model group); group C (20 mice drinking freely 10% alcohol per day on the basis of benzene poisoning model as alcohol-treated group) and group D (20 mice given Curcuma longa 3 g/kg once a day on the basis of benzene poisoning model as Curcuma-treated group). Then the blood samples were collected so as to count the parameters of WBC, Hb, PLT. In addition, the liver cytochrome P450 activity and MN formation rate were measured. RESULTS: (1) Compared with group A, WBC, Hb and PLT of group B significantly decreased [(2.6 +/- 1.0) x 10(9)/L, (93 +/- 11) g/L, (593 +/- 81) x 10(9)/L]. (2) Compared with group B, the parameters of group C decreased (P<0.05) while the liver cytochrome P450 activity of group C increased. It indicated that alcohol improved the activity of CYP2E1 and the MN formation rate of group C also increased [(8.8 +/- 1.8) per thousand vs(6.5 +/- 1.0) per thousand, P<0.01]. (3) Compared with group B, the parameters of group D improved (P<0.01). The activity of CYP2E1 of group D decreased and the difference was significant (P<0.01). In the meantime, MN formation rate decreased (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: (1) When the liver cytochrome P450 activity were altered, the hematotoxicity of benzene poisoning in mice underwent changes. (2) Alcohol increases the hematotoxicity induced by benzene poisoning in mice. (3) Curcuma longa has preventive effect against the hematotoxity of benzene.