Inhibitory effects of curcumin on tumor initiation by benzo[a]pyrene and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

The effects of topical administration of curcumin on the formation of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P)-DNA adducts and the tumorigenic activities of B[a]P and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in epidermis were evaluated in female CD-1 mice. Topical application of 3 or 10 mumol curcumin 5 min prior to the application of 20 nmol [3H]B[a]P inhibited the formation of [3H]B[a]P-DNA adducts in epidermis by 39 or 61% respectively. In a two-stage skin...