Benzo(A)Pyrene [B(a)P] has been reported to cause lipid peroxidation and decrease antioxidant enzymes activities
by inducing oxidative stress in lung carcinogenesis. Curcumin has exhibited chemopreventive potential against a
variety of cancers, including lung cancer. The potential protective and chemopreventive effects of curcumin against
[B(a)P] -induced lung cancer in mice were investigated. One hundred male Swiss Albino mice were divided into
four equal groups. Group Ι: (Control group) received no drugs. Group Π: (lung cancer- induced) mice injected with a
single dose of [B(a)P] (100 mg/ kg b.wt, i.p). Group III: (lung cancer + curcumin treated) mice injected with
[B(a)P] and treated with curcumin (100 mg/kg b.wt/day, orally) from 22th to 30th weeks. Group IV: (lung cancer +
curcumin protected) mice received curcumin on alternate days from 1 day prior to [B(a)P] injection and was
treated continuously with curcumin until 30th week. Blood and lung tissue samples were collected for
determination of serum CEA, Haptoglobin (HPT), adenosine deaminase (ADA) and ɤ-GT, antioxidants enzymes
(CAT, SOD, GPx, GST and GR), L-MDA, NO, GSH, Bcl-2, CYP1A1, P53, Caspase 3, DNA fragmentation and COX-2 in
lung tissues. The obtained results revealed that, [B(a)P] potentially increased serum CEA, HPT, ADA, ɤ- GT in
addition to COX-2, Caspase 3, L-MDA, NO, Bcl-2, CYP1A1, P53, and DNA fragmentation in lung tissues. However,
enzymatic antioxidants status and GSH were significantly decreased. It could be concluded that, curcumin may be
effective in reducing lung cancer by its radical scavenging activity and anti-inflammatory effect, regenerating
endogenous antioxidant mechanisms and decreased caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation and attenuate Bcl-2, P53,
CYP1A1 and COX -2 in lung tissues. These results indicate the possible efficiency of curcumin as a distinct
chemopreventive agent in lung carcinogenesis