Effect of masheri, a pyrolysed tobacco product on carcinogen metabolizing enzymes

Studies on the modulation of the carcinogen metabolizing enzymes on treatment with masheri extract (ME) and benzo (a) pyrene (B (a)P), were carried out in male Sprague Dawley rats (12 weeks old) fed a nutritionally adequate standard diet. Injection (ip) of ME and B (a) P at 3/4 LD50 dose given in 3 doses at 24 hr interval increased the phase I activating enzymes, viz. cytochrome P-450, benzo (a) pyrene hydroxylase and benzphetamine demethylase while both ME and B (a) P significantly depleted glutathione content and decreased glutathione-S transferase activity. Furthermore, the same treatment of ME and B (a) P significantly depleted the hepatic vitamin A pool while a concommittant increase in vitamin C content was observed.