Abstract

CURCUMIN, GARCINOL AND DIETARY N-3 FATTY ACIDS, LOWER THE RELEASE OF LYSOSOMAL ENZYMES IN RAT PERITONEAL MACROPHAGES.

Fayaz Pasha P, Dr. Kusum Ramachandran and Dr. H D Ramachandran*

ABSTRACT

Male Wistar rats (12rats/group) were fed a diet containing 8 wt % coconut oil or groundnut oil or cod-liver oil for a total period of 8 weeks. The diets were also supplemented with 2 wt % groundnut oil for providing essential fatty acids. During the last 2 weeks, 6 rats form each group were additionally given curcumin (30 mg/kg body wt/day) or garcinol (5 mg/kg body wt/day) in 1 ml groundnut oil. The peritoneal macrophages from rats fed cod-liver oil diet secreted lower levels of lysosomal enzymes collagenase, elastase and hyaluronidase as compared to those from rats fed coconut oil or groundnut oil diets. Curcumin and garcinol significantly lowered the secretion of these lysosomal enzymes from macrophages in animals given coconut oil or groundnut oil diet. These studies indicated that dietary cod-liver oil (rich in n-3 fatty acids), and spice principles curcumin and garcinol can lower the secretory functions of macrophages in a beneficial manner. (Mol Cell Biochem 203:153–161, 2000)

Keywords: macrophages, cod-liver oil, curcumin, garcinol, lysosomal enzymes.