Semecarpus anacardium Nut Extract Induced Changes in Enzymic Antioxidants Studied in Aflatoxin B1 Caused Hepatocellular Carcinoma Bearing Wistar Rats

Abstract

Aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1) induced rat liver cancer is a well studied system of hepatocarcinogenesis. The present investigation aims at assessing the effect of Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract on AFB 1 mediated hepatocellular carcinoma. This extract was administered orally (200 mg/kg body weight/day) for 14 days to hepatocarcinoma bearing rats. The level of lipid peroxides and antioxidant enzymes’ activity were determined in liver and kidney homogenates. Marked increase in lipid peroxide levels and a concomitant decrease in enzymic antioxidant levels were observed in carcinoma induced rats, while drug treatment reversed the conditions to near normal levels. The reduction of AFB 1 induced hepatotoxicity provides an in vivo evidence for the drug to be regarded as a potent and valuable chemotherapeutic agent against hepatocarcinoma.