The Japanese folk remedy “ukon” is made from the root of the plant CURCUMA LONGA. Scientists looked at whether parts of this remedy could protect the liver from the harm usually caused by toxins. First they prepared an extract from the roots. This extract strongly prevented the liver damage that is usually caused by the poison, carbon tetrachloride. This was found both in laboratory tests and in live animals. Then they split the extract into parts. Then each part was tested to see which prevented injury to rat liver cells. The liver cells were taken from live rats and grown in liquids. Each test looked at the harm to rat liver cells caused by poisons, either carbon tetrachloride or galactosamine. Curcumin is the chemical which is the most potent part of this remedy. Curcuminoids are compounds related to curcumin. Curcuminoids were shown to have an important protective effect against liver cell damage from these poisons. These scientists also evaluated the liver protective activity of likely metabolites of the curcuminoids. Metabolites are produced when the body breaks down a chemical. The likely metabolites they evaluated were compounds related to the chemicals, ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid.
Antihepatotoxic Principles of Curcuma longa Rhizom…[Planta Med. 1983]