Turcuron: A standardized bisacurone-rich turmeric rhizome extract for the prevention and treatment of hangover and alcohol-induced liver injury in rats

Objectives: The present work investigated the hepatoprotective effects of Turcuron, a first-of-its-kind extract from Curcuma longa tubers containing 8% bisacurone, with respect to alcohol-induced liver injury in rats. We have further studied its efficacy in improving alcohol metabolism in rats. Materials and Methods: In vitro studies were performed using nitric oxide (NO) scavenging and xanthine dehydrogenase activity. Alcohol-induced liver injury was established in male Sprague Dawley rats by oral administration of 4 g/kg/day of 40% ethanol for 6 weeks. Turcuron (150 and 300 mg/kg) was administered to the rats after 3 weeks of alcohol treatment till the end of the study. In alcohol-induced hangover model, male Wistar rats were administered with single oral dose of 5 ml/kg b.w. of alcohol, 1 h after the treatment with Turcuron (200, 300, and 400 mg/kg). Results: In our preliminary study, Turcuron markedly inhibited the NO production and xanthine dehydrogenase activity in vitro . In the in vivo model rats, Turcuron restored the liver architecture and biochemical parameters and reduced the expression of inflammatory proteins in the liver. Furthermore, Turcuron reduced the blood alcohol and acetaldehyde levels in alcohol hangover model rats. It also increased the activity of Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) significantly in the liver. Conclusion: Here, we report for the first time, Turcuron-mediated liver protection attributing to the presence of high content of bisacurone in the turmeric extract. Collectively, our data provide valuable evidence for the application of bisacurone-rich turmeric extract as a functional food and/or medicine.