Modulatory influence of camphor on the activities of hepatic carcinogen metabolizing enzymes and the levels of hepatic and extrahepatic reduced glutathione in mice.

The present paper deals with the modulatory influence of camphor on the activities of hepatic phase I and phase II drug metabolising enzymes and the levels of hepatic and extrahepatic reduced glutathione contents in the mouse. Female Swiss albino mice (8-9 weeks old) were treated daily by oral route for 20 days with 50, 150 or 300 mg/kg body weight of camphor dissolved in 0.1 ml of olive oil. Camphor only at the 300 mg/kg body weight dose level caused a significant increase in the activities of cytochrome P450 (P < 0.05), cytochrome b5 (P < 0.05), aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (P < 0.05) and glutathione S-transferase (P < 0.05). These modulatory effects were comparable with those induced by 0.75% BHA diet given for 20 days (positive control group). The reduced glutathione level was elevated significantly in liver (P < 0.05) by camphor only at the 300 mg/kg body weight dose level and in liver, lung and stomach (P < 0.05) by BHA.