Effect of curcumin and eugenol on iron-induced hepatic toxicity in rats.

Male Wistar rats injected i.p. with 30 mg Fe2+/kg body weight show hepatic damage as measured by an increase in lipid peroxides which correlated with elevated serum enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Oral administration of spice principles, curcumin from turmeric (30 mg/kg body weight) or eugenol from cloves (100 mg/kg body weight), for 10 days lowered the liver and serum lipid peroxide levels, serum ALAT, ASAT and LDH, enhanced by i.p. injection of iron. This study indicates that curcumin or eugenol reduces the iron-induced hepatic damage by lowering lipid peroxidation.