Curcumin Enriched VCO Protects against 7,12-Dimethyl Benz[a] Anthracene-Induced Skin Papilloma in Mice

Abstract

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) and turmeric are traditionally being used in Indian cuisine systems; VCO is a natural combination of medium-chain triglyceride and polyphenols with established pharmacological potential. Curcumin isolated from turmeric is renowned for its anticancer properties, however, with limited clinical success due to poor bioavailability. Considering the lipophilic nature of VCO, curcumin added to VCO is expected to have synergistic/additive actions. In this study, the chemopreventive potential of curcumin enriched VCO (VCr) (4 and 8 mL/Kg orally) was analyzed in 7,12-dimethyl benz[a]anthracene (DMBA;470 nmoles/200 µL/week for two weeks topical)/croton oil (3% v/v in 200 µL acetone twice a week for 6 weeks topical) induced skin papilloma. In DMBA control animals, an average incidence of 13 papilloma/mice (latency period of 11.6 ± 1.5 weeks) was recorded. Pretreatment with VCrH (8 mL/kg) had a 60% inhibition of tumor index, and an increased latency period (12.5 ± 0.9 weeks). Additionally, DMBA/croton oil-induced reduction in glutathione levels and concomitant increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in the skin microenvironment were restored by VCr. The study thus suggests that the VCr promotes antioxidant status in vivo and imparts an improved anticarcinogenic potential. However, further studies are necessary to ascertain the improvement in bioavailability of curcumin .

Acknowledgments

Authors acknowledge Dr. Ramadasan Kuttan, Research Director, Amala Cancer Research Center for providing curcumin as well as for offering necessary guidance for the animal study. A Narayanankutty and SP Illam acknowledge Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India (09/869(0012)/2012 EMR-I) and Indian Council of Medical Research (Ref. No.3/2/2/31/2018/Online Onco Fship/NCD-III) for senior research fellowships.

Conflict of Interest

The authors express no conflict of interest in the present study.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Arunaksharan Narayanankutty

Narayanankutty A, Nair A and Illam SP have carried out the preparation of the compounds, animal experiments and data collection. Statistical analysis was done by Narayanankutty A and Illam SP. Initial draft preparation was done by Narayanankutty and Nair A. Upaganlawar A analyzed the data, contributed to in silico analysis and initial draft preparation. Raghavamenon AC designed the experiment, analyzed the results and made final corrections in the manuscript.