Evaluation of turmeric extract on performance indices impressed by induced aflatoxicosis in broiler chickens

The purpose of this study was evaluation of ethanolic turmeric extract (ETE; Curcuma longa) effect on overall performance including body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) weekly and cumulative for a period of 4 weeks with 300 commercial broiler chicks (Ross strain). These chicks were randomly divided into four groups with three replicates of 15 chicks in each replicate. In group A, chickens were fed a basal diet, in group B, chickens were fed a basal diet plus 3 ppm productive aflatoxin. In group C, chickens consumed a basal diet plus 0.05% ETE and in group D, chickens received a basal diet with 0.05% ETE plus 3 ppm productive aflatoxin. Aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus (PTTC NO:1850) in maize was according to the Shotwell method. The results revealed that there were no significant differences in BW, BWG and FCR between groups fed turmeric at 0.05% and the control group. The supplement of ETE in a diet containing 3 ppm aflatoxin can significantly improve performance indices compared with the group that consumed aflatoxin alone. In conclusion, our results suggest that turmeric extract (Curcuma longa) can provide protection against the negative effects of aflatoxin on performance of broiler chickens.     

Effect of dietary benzylselenocyanate on azoxymethane‐induced colon carcinogenesis in Male F344 rats

The effect of dietary benzylselenocyanate (BSCJ and its analogue, benzylthiocyanate (BTC), and sodium selenite during the initiation and postinitiation phases of azoxymethane (AOM)‐induced intestinal carcinogenesis was studied in male F344 rats. Animals intended for initiation study were fed the high‐fat (23.5% corn oil) diets containing 25, 50, and 100 ppm BSC (10, 20, and 40 ppm selenium, respectively) and 100 ppm BTC and 4 ppm selenium (as sodium selenite in drinking water); those intended for postinitiation study were fed the high‐fat control diet. Two weeks later, all animals were injected subcutaneously with AOM (15 mg/kg body wt) once weekly for two weeks. Three days after the last AOM injection, animals in the initiation and postinitiation studies were transferred respectively to the high‐fat diet and high‐fat diets containing BSC and BTC and sodium selenite in drinking water. This regimen was continued until 36 weeks post‐AOM injection. BSC inhibited the small intestinal and colon adenocarcinoma incidence and multiplicity of colon adenocarcinomas when fed during the postinitiation phase. Sodium selenite inhibited the incidence and multiplicity of colon adenocarcinomas only during the postinitiation phase. BTC had no inhibitory effect when fed during the initiation and postinitiation phases. The colonic mucosal ornithine decarboxylase activity was significantly inhibited by the administration of all three compounds, BSC (78%), BTC (62%), and sodium selenite (44%). It is concluded that the BSC has an inhibitory effect on the intestinal carcinogenesis in animals fed the high‐fat diet.     

Effect of dietary benzylselenocyanate on azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis in male F344 rats.

The effect of dietary benzylselenocyanate (BSC) and its analogue, benzylthiocyanate (BTC), and sodium selenite during the initiation and postinitiation phases of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced intestinal carcinogenesis was studied in male F344 rats. Animals intended for initiation study were fed the high-fat (23.5% corn oil) diets containing 25, 50, and 100 ppm BSC (10, 20, and 40 ppm selenium, respectively) and 100 ppm BTC and 4 ppm selenium (as sodium selenite in drinking water); those intended for postinitiation study were fed the high-fat control diet. Two weeks later, all animals were injected subcutaneously with AOM (15 mg/kg body wt) once weekly for two weeks. Three days after the last AOM injection, animals in the initiation and postinitiation studies were transferred respectively to the high-fat diet and high-fat diets containing BSC and BTC and sodium selenite in drinking water. This regimen was continued until 36 weeks post-AOM injection. BSC inhibited the small intestinal and colon adenocarcinoma incidence and multiplicity of colon adenocarcinomas when fed during the postinitiation phase. Sodium selenite inhibited the incidence and multiplicity of colon adenocarcinomas only during the postinitiation phase. BTC had no inhibitory effect when fed during the initiation and postinitiation phases. The colonic mucosal ornithine decarboxylase activity was significantly inhibited by the administration of all three compounds, BSC (78%), BTC (62%), and sodium selenite (44%). It is concluded that the BSC has an inhibitory effect on the intestinal carcinogenesis in animals fed the high-fat diet.     

The role of turmerones on curcumin transportation and P-glycoprotein activities in intestinal Caco-2 cells

The rhizome of Curcuma longa (turmeric) is often used in Asia as a spice and as a medicine. Its most well-studied component, curcumin, has been shown to exhibit poor bioavailability in animal studies and clinical trials. We hypothesized that the presence of lipophilic components (e.g., turmerones) in turmeric extract would affect the absorption of curcumin. The effects of turmerones on curcumin transport were evaluated in human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells. The roles of turmerones on P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activities and mRNA expression were also evaluated. Results showed that in the presence of α- and aromatic turmerones, the amount of curcumin transported into the Caco-2 cells in 2 hours was significantly increased. α-Turmerone and verapamil (a P-gp inhibitor) significantly inhibited the efflux of rhodamine-123 and digoxin (i.e., inhibited the activity of P-gp). It is interesting that aromatic turmerone significantly increased the rhodamine-123 efflux and P-gp (MDR1 gene) mRNA expression levels. The effects of α- and aromatic turmerones on curcumin transport as well as P-gp activities were shown here for the first time. The presence of turmerones did affect the absorption of curcumin in vitro. These findings suggest the potential use of turmeric extract (including curcumin and turmerones), rather than curcumin alone, for treating diseases.     

Effect of citrus polyphenol- and curcumin-supplemented diet on inflammatory state in obese cats

Among obesity-associated disorders, low-grade inflammation has been described. The putative therapeutic properties of citrus and curcumin polyphenols could be associated with their anti-inflammatory properties. Two diets supplemented either with hesperidin (0.05 %) and naringin (0.1 %) from citrus extract or with highly bioavailable curcumin from Curcuma longa extract (0.09 %) were fed to eight obese cats for two 8-week periods (cross-over study design) while maintaining animals in an obese state. Plasma acute-phase protein (APP; α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), serum amyloid A and haptoglobin) levels were assessed before and at the end of each test period. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18, transforming growth factor-β, interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA levels were determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by real-time PCR. Compared with pre-study values, supplementation with citrus polyphenols resulted in lower plasma AGP and haptoglobin concentrations, while that with curcumin resulted in lower plasma AGP concentration. There were no differences between the supplementations. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18, transforming growth factor-β, mRNA levels remained unaffected by either dietary supplementation. In contrast, IFN-γ and IL-2 mRNA levels were lower at the end of the citrus and the curcumin supplementation, respectively. There were no differences between the supplementations. The present study results show a slight effect of citrus and curcumin supplementation on inflammatory markers expressed by PBMC, and a decreased concentration of APP, which are mainly expressed by the liver. This would confirm that hesperidin and naringin or highly bioavailable curcumin extract have beneficial effects, targeted in the liver and could improve the obesity-related inflammatory state.     

Citrus auraptene suppresses azoxymethane-induced colonic preneoplastic lesions in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice

The current study was designed to investigate whether dietary citrus auraptene (AUR) suppresses the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colorectal preneoplastic lesions in C57BL/KsJ-db/db (db/db) mice with obese and diabetic phenotypes. Female db/db and wild (+/+) mice were divided into the AOM + AUR, AOM alone, AUR alone, and the untreated groups in each phenotype. AOM was given 3 weekly intraperitoneal injections (10 mg/kg bw). AUR (250 ppm) was given in diet during the study (for 10 wk). Dietary AUR significantly reduced the number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and Beta -catenin-accumulated crypt (BCAC) in both phenotypes. The treatment also lowered cell proliferation activity and increased apoptotic cells in both lesions. Our findings indicate that dietary AUR is able to suppress the early phase of colon carcinogenesis in both phenotypes, suggesting possible application of AUR as a chemopreventive agent in both the high-risk and general populations for colorectal cancer.     

Evaluation of the antifungal activity of Zataria multiflora, Geranium herbarium, and Eucalyptus camaldolensis essential oils on Saprolegnia parasitica-infected rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) eggs

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and assess the capability of Zataria multiflora, Geranium herbarium, and Eucalyptus camaldolensis essential oils in treating Saprolegnia parasitica-infected rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss) trout eggs. A total of 150 infected eggs were collected and plated on glucose-pepton agar at 24°C for 2 weeks. The antifungal assay of essential oils against S. parasitica was determined by a macrodilution broth technique. The eggs were treated with essential oils at concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 ppm daily with three repetitions until the eyed eggs stage. Of 150 eggs examined, S. parasitica (54.3%), Saprolegnia spp. (45%), and Fusarium solani (0.7%) were isolated. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of Z. multiflora, E. camaldolensis, and G. herbarium essential oils against S. parasitica were 0.9, 2.3, and 4.8 ppm, respectively. Zataria multiflora and E. camaldolensis at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 ppm, and G. herbarium at concentration of 100 ppm had significant differences in comparison with negative control (p<0.05). The results revealed that malachite green, followed by Z. multiflora, E. camaldolensis, and G. herbarium treated eggs had remained the most number of final eyed eggs after treatment. The highest final larvae rates belonged to malachite green, E. camaldolensis, Z. multiflora, and G. herbarium, respectively. The most hatching rates were recorded with malachite green (22%), and then Z. multiflora (11%), E. camaldolensis (7%), G. herbarium (3%), and negative control (1%). Zataria multiflora and E. camaldolensis were more effective than G. herbarium for the treatment of S. parasitica-infected rainbow trout eggs in aquaculture environment.     

Preventive effects of curcumin on the development of azoxymethane-induced colonic preneoplastic lesions in male C57BL/KsJ-db/db obese mice

Obesity-related metabolic abnormalities include a state of chronic inflammation and adipocytokine imbalance, which increase the risk of colon cancer. Curcumin, a component of turmeric, exerts both cancer preventive and antiinflammatory properties. Curcumin is also expected to have the ability to reverse obesity-related metabolic derangements. The present study examined the effects of curcumin on the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic premalignant lesions in C57BL/KsJ-db/db (db/db) obese mice. Feeding with a diet containing 0.2% and 2.0% curcumin caused a significant reduction in the total number of colonic premalignant lesions compared with basal diet-fed mice. The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNAs on the colonic mucosa of AOM-treated mice were significantly decreased by curcumin administration. Dietary feeding with curcumin markedly activated AMP-activated kinase, decreased the expression of COX-2 protein, and inhibited nuclear factor-κB activity on the colonic mucosa of AOM-treated mice. Curcumin also increased the serum levels of adiponectin while conversely decreasing the serum levels of leptin and the weights of fat. In conclusion, curcumin inhibits the development of colonic premalignant lesions in an obesity-related colorectal carcinogenesis model, at least in part, by attenuating chronic inflammation and improving adipocytokine imbalance. Curcumin may be useful in the chemoprevention of colorectal carcinogenesis in obese individuals.     

Preventive Effects of Curcumin on the Development of Azoxymethane-Induced Colonic Preneoplastic Lesions in Male C57BL/KsJ-db/db Obese Mice

Obesity-related metabolic abnormalities include a state of chronic inflammation and adipocytokine imbalance, which increase the risk of colon cancer. Curcumin, a component of turmeric, exerts both cancer preventive and antiinflammatory properties. Curcumin is also expected to have the ability to reverse obesity-related metabolic derangements. The present study examined the effects of curcumin on the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic premalignant lesions in C57BL/KsJ-db/db (db/db) obese mice. Feeding with a diet containing 0.2% and 2.0% curcumin caused a significant reduction in the total number of colonic premalignant lesions compared with basal diet-fed mice. The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNAs on the colonic mucosa of AOM-treated mice were significantly decreased by curcumin administration. Dietary feeding with curcumin markedly activated AMP-activated kinase, decreased the expression of COX-2 protein, and inhibited nuclear factor-κB activity on the colonic mucosa of AOM-treated mice. Curcumin also increased the serum levels of adiponectin while conversely decreasing the serum levels of leptin and the weights of fat. In conclusion, curcumin inhibits the development of colonic premalignant lesions in an obesity-related colorectal carcinogenesis model, at least in part, by attenuating chronic inflammation and improving adipocytokine imbalance. Curcumin may be useful in the chemoprevention of colorectal carcinogenesis in obese individuals.     

Oral administration of a turmeric extract inhibits erythrocyte and liver microsome membrane oxidation in rabbits fed with an atherogenic diet

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an oral supplementation with a Curcuma longa ethanol and aqueous extract on the susceptibility to oxidation of cellular and subcellular membranes affected in the atherosclerotic process, such as erythrocyte membranes and liver microsomes, in rabbits fed with a high-fat diet. METHODS: Twenty-four male rabbits were randomly assigned to one of two groups: group T was treated with a turmeric hydroalcoholic extract (1.66 mg/kg of body weight) dissolved in a hydroalcoholic mixture vehicle (7:2), and group C (control): received a curcuma-free hydroalcoholic solution (7:2). All rabbits had access ad libitum to 150 g/d of an experimental diet rich in cholesterol and lard to provoke an atherosclerotic process. Erythrocyte membranes and liver microsomes were isolated, and the levels of hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were measured after oxidation induction. RESULTS: The oxidation of erythrocyte membranes in group T was significantly lower than that in group C, mainly by 30 d (P < 0.05). Levels of hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in liver microsomes also were significantly lower in group T than in group C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that oral administration of a nutritional dose of C. longa extracts reduces the susceptibility to oxidation of erythrocyte and liver microsome membranes in vitro and may contribute to the prevention of effects caused by a diet high in fat and cholesterol in blood and liver during the development of atherosclerosis.     

Effect of dietary zinc on endogenous free radical production in rat lung microsomes

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary zinc on endogenous production of free radicals in lung and liver microsomes. Male weanling rats were fed a zinc-deficient basal diet containing less than 1.1 ppm zinc, or were pair-fed or fed ad libitum a zinc-adequate diet supplemented with 100 ppm zinc. The isolated microsomes (100,000 X g precipitate) of lung and liver were incubated with 0.1 M PBN (spin trap) and 0.3 mM NADPH (cofactor) at 37 degrees C for 1.0 h. A carbon-centered free radical (aN = 16.0 G, aH beta = 3.4 G) was trapped in both lung and liver microsomes. There was a significant increase in the concentration of carbon-centered free radicals generated in lung microsomes in animals fed a zinc-deficient diet. Dietary zinc status did not significantly affect the concentration of free radicals in liver microsomes. The amount of free radicals generated is proportional to microsomal protein concentration and is linear with protein concentration between 5 and 20 mg per milliliter of incubate. The free radicals formed in the microsomal system were dependent on the presence of NADPH. Carbon monoxide inhibited 40-50% of the free radical production in both lung and liver microsomes. The results suggest that dietary zinc deficiency stimulates the production of endogenous free radicals in rat lung microsomes by an NADPH- and cytochrome P-450-dependent system.     

Citrus Auraptene Suppresses Azoxymethane-Induced Colonic Preneoplastic Lesions in C57BL/KsJ-db/db Mice

The current study was designed to investigate whether dietary citrus auraptene (AUR) suppresses the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colorectal preneoplastic lesions in C57BL/KsJ-db/db (db/db) mice with obese and diabetic phenotypes. Female db/db and wild (+/+) mice were divided into the AOM + AUR, AOM alone, AUR alone, and the untreated groups in each phenotype. AOM was given 3 weekly intraperitoneal injections (10 mg/kg bw). AUR (250 ppm) was given in diet during the study (for 10 wk). Dietary AUR significantly reduced the number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and β -catenin-accumulated crypt (BCAC) in both phenotypes. The treatment also lowered cell proliferation activity and increased apoptotic cells in both lesions. Our findings indicate that dietary AUR is able to suppress the early phase of colon carcinogenesis in both phenotypes, suggesting possible application of AUR as a chemopreventive agent in both the high-risk and general populations for colorectal cancer.     

Supplementation with High or Low Iron Reduces Colitis Severity in an AOM/DSS Mouse Model

The relationship between colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) and the dysregulation of iron metabolism has been implicated. However, studies on the influence of dietary iron deficiency on the incidence of CAC are limited. This study investigated the effects of dietary iron deficiency and dietary non-heme iron on CAC development in an azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS) mouse model. The four-week-old mice were divided into the following groups: iron control (IC; 35 ppm iron/kg) + normal (NOR), IC + AOM/DSS, iron deficient (ID; <5 ppm iron/kg diet) + AOM/DSS, and iron overload (IOL; approximately 2000 ppm iron/kg) + AOM/DSS. The mice were fed the respective diets for 13 weeks, and the AOM/DSS model was established at week five. FTH1 expression increased in the mice’s colons in the IC + AOM/DSS group compared with that observed in the ID and IOL + AOM/DSS groups. The reduced number of colonic tumors in the ID + AOM/DSS and IOL + AOM/DSS groups was accompanied by the downregulated expression of cell proliferation regulators (PCNA, cyclin D1, and c-Myc). Iron overload inhibited the increase in the expression of NF-κB and its downstream inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNFα, iNOS, COX2, and IL-1β), likely due to the elevated expression of antioxidant genes (SOD1, TXN, GPX1, GPX4, CAT, HMOX1, and NQO1). ID + AOM/DSS may hinder tumor development in the AOM/DSS model by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway by increasing the expression of Ndrg1. Our study suggests that ID and IOL diets suppress AOM/DSS-induced tumors and that long-term iron deficiency or overload may negate CAC progression.     

Nonmutagenicity of curcumin and its antimutagenic action versus chili and capsaicin

Turmeric, which is one of the commonly used spices in Indian cooking, was tested for mutagenicity using the Ames test. The alcoholic extract of fresh or dried turmeric, its principal components, and pyrolyzed turmeric powder and curcumin were tested for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains with and without metabolic activation. None of these were mutagenic in all the tester strains. Chilies (which are used with turmeric powder) and their principal alkaloid capsaicin were mutagenic in the TA 98 with S9 mixture. We tested curcumin, which is the principal component of turmeric, for its antimutagenic effect. It showed dose-dependent decreases in mutagenicity of chili extract and capsaicin. Also, we compared the antimutagenicity of curcumin with other known antioxidants, including BHA, vitamins E and C, and vegetable oils. These all showed dose-dependent decreases in mutagenicity of chili extract and capsaicin. These studies show that although there are few mutagenic principles in Indian food, there is still quite a large number of antimutagenic principles in the Indian diet that will modulate the activity of environmental mutagens.     

Comparative toxicity effect of bush tea leaves (Hyptis suaveolens) and orange peel (Citrus sinensis) oil extract on larvae of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti

The ethanolic extracts of the orange peel (Citrus sinensis) and bush tea leaves (Hyptis suaveolens) were compared for their toxicity effect on the larvae of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti collected from disused tyres beside College of Natural Sciences building University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Eight graded concentrations, 0.9ppm, 0.8ppm, 0.7ppm, 0.6ppm, 0.5ppm, 0.4ppm, 0.3ppm and 0.2ppm of both plant extracts were tested on the larvae. The mean lethal dose LD10, was 0.15 ppm for C. sinensis, 0.01 for H. suaveolens, while LD50 for C. sinensis was 0.4ppm, H. suaveolens 0.60ppm and LD90 for C. sinensis was 0.9ppm and H. suaveolens was 1.45ppm. LD10 for the control 0.65ppm, LD50 0.9ppm and LD90 2.0 ppm. The extract of C. sinensis peel caused higher mortality rate at concentrations 0.8ppm (95%) and 0.3ppm (90%) of the larvae while the extract of H. suaveolens caused high mortality rate on the larvae at concentrations of 0.9ppm (80%) and 0.3ppm (80%). Significant differences were observed between untreated and treated larvae (exposed to either of the extract) at the various concentrations (P< 0.05).     

Alpha-glucosidase inhibition of natural curcuminoids and curcumin analogs

Natural curcumin (1), demethoxycurcumin (2) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (3) isolated from Curcuma longa (turmeric), and synthetic curcumin analogs (A(1-7), B(1-7), C(1-6) and D(1-7)) were evaluated in vitro for the alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity via UV and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The results indicated that natural curcuminoid compound 3 showed a remarkable inhibitory effect with IC(50) of 23.0 microM, and the synthetic compounds A(2), B(2), C(2) and D(2) showed potent inhibitory effects with IC(50) of 2.8, 2.6, 1.6 and 8.2 microM, respectively. Kinetic study exhibited that the mechanism of alpha-glucosidase inhibition of both 3 and C(2) was non-competitive. The structure activity relationship revealed that the ortho dihydroxyl groups could form a more tight interaction with alpha-glucosidase to exert more potential inhibitory activities.     

Nonmutagenicity of curcumin and its antimutagenic action versus chili and capsaicin

Turmeric, which is one of the commonly used spices in Indian cooking, was tested for mutagenicity using the Ames test. The alcoholic extract of fresh or dried turmeric, its principal components, and pyrolyzed turmeric powder and curcumin were tested for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains with and without metabolic activation. None of these were mutagenic in all the tester strains. Chilies (which are used with turmeric powder) and their principal alkaloid capsaicin were mutagenic in the TA 98 with S9 mixture. We tested curcumin, which is the principal component of turmeric, for its antimutagenic effect. It showed dose‐dependent decreases in mutagenicity of chili extract and capsaicin. Also, we compared the antimutagenicity of curcumin with other known antioxidants, including BHA, vitamins E and C, and vegetable oils. These all showed dose‐dependent decreases in mutagenicity of chili extract and capsaicin. These studies show that although there are few mutagenic principles in Indian food, there is still quite a large number of antimutagenic principles in the Indian diet that will modulate the activity of environmental mutagens.     

Methionine restriction inhibits colon carcinogenesis

Previously, we demonstrated that life-long methionine restriction (MR) in rats increases life span and inhibits aging-related disease processes. The present study examines the effects of MR on the formation of preneoplastic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the colon of azoxymethane (AOM)-treated rats. Six-week-old male F344 rats were placed on essential amino acid-defined diets containing either 0.86% Met (control diet) or 0.17% Met (MR diet) and 1 wk later were given AOM (15 mg/kg/wk, s.c.) for 2 consecutive wk. Ten weeks after the final AOM treatment, ACF formation was markedly reduced in rats fed the MR diet with ACF containing > or = 4 crypts/focus being reduced by over 80% compared to controls (P < 0.001). A similar 83% reduction in ACF containing > or = 4 crypts/focus was observed in rats fed the MR diet only during the post-initiation period (after the final dose of AOM; P < 0.001). Five weeks after AOM administration, a 12% reduction in colonic cell proliferation was observed in MR rats compared to controls (P < 0.05). These results show that MR inhibits colonic tumor development in the rat, an effect that occurs primarily during post-initiation phases of carcinogenesis and may be due, in part, to an inhibition of colonic cell proliferation.     

Curcumin content of turmeric and curry powders

Curcumin, derived from the rhizome curcuma longa, is one of the primary ingredients in turmeric and curry powders that are used as spices in Middle Eastern and Asian countries, especially on the Indian subcontinent. More recently, laboratory studies have demonstrated that dietary curcumin exhibits various biological activities and significantly inhibits colon tumorigenesis and tumor size in animals. Curcumin displays both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, giving it the potential to be considered in the development of cancer preventive strategies and applications in clinical research. Experimental studies have shown the biological activities of the compound, but much more information on pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and food content are needed. Whether the amount of curcumin in turmeric and curry powders is sufficient to suggest effects on biological activities and cancer risk is unknown. To determine and compare the quantitative amounts of curcumin that are present in several brands of turmeric and curry powders, a high performance liquid chromatography technique was used to analyze 28 spice products described as turmeric or curry powders and two negative controls. Pure turmeric powder had the highest curcumin concentration, averaging 3.14% by weight. The curry powder samples, with one exception, had relatively small amounts of curcumin present, and the variability in content was great. The curcumin content of these seasoning products that are consumed as a component of the diet should be considered in evaluating baseline tissue concentration and response to curcumin supplementation, which is under study in chemoprevention trials.     

Reproductive Performance of Two Generations of Female Semidomesticated Mink Fed Diets Containing Organic Mercury Contaminated Freshwater Fish

Semidomesticated female mink (Mustela vison) were fed daily diets containing 0.1 ppm, 0.5 ppm, and 1.0 ppm of total mercury. Piscivorous and nonpiscivorous fish naturally contaminated with organic mercury were used to prepare the diets. Twenty-month-old females (G1 generation) that were exposed to the experimental diets for approximately 400 days in 1994 and 1995 and their 10-month-old female offspring (G2 generation) that were exposed to mercury for approximately 300 days in 1995, were all mated to 10-month-old males. Males were fed the diet containing 0.1 ppm mercury 60 days prior to the mating season. Diets containing 0.1 ppm and 0.5 ppm were not lethal to G1 and G2 females for an exposure period of up to 704 days. At the age of 11 months, mortalities occurred in 1994 for G1 females (30/50) and in 1995 for G2 females (6/7) fed the 1.0 ppm mercury diet after 90 days and 330 days of exposure, respectively. The length of the gestation periods and the number of kits born per female were not different among dietary groups for the two generations of females. The proportion of females giving birth was low for all groups, except for the G1 females fed the 0.1 ppm diet. There was an inverse relationship between whelping proportion and exposure group, but was not statistically significant. There was evidence that kits were exposed to mercury both in utero and/or during lactation as indicated by the presence of mercury in their livers. Mercury exposure did not influence the survival and growth of neonatal kits. Received: 11 November 1997/Accepted: 24 August 1998