The hepatoprotective effect of some natural and synthetic compounds against chemically induced
hepatocellular carcinoma in rats was evaluated. One hundred male albino rats were divided equally into
five groups. Normal control group, carcinogenic [Ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA: 9 mg Fe/kg b.wt. i.p.)
and chloroform (150 mg/ kg b.wt. orally)] - induced group, curcumin group (400 mg/kg. b.wt. orally),
tetrachlorocuprate-lysine (25 mg/kg. b. wt. s.c.) and ascorbate (500 mg/kg. b. wt. orally) group and a
mixture group (composed of curcumin, tetrachlorocuprate -lysine and ascorbate). Blood samples and
liver tissue specimens were collected at the end of experiment (4 months) for determination of the
following parameters: Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), catalase and
myeloperoxidase (MPO) in liver tissues, in addition to serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced
glutathione (GSH). Moreover, histopathological examination of liver tissues was done for results
confirmation. The obtained results showed a significant elevation in MDA, MPO and immunological
markers levels, with significant reduction in serum reduced glutathione and catalase activity in liver
tissue in hepatocellular-carcinogen induced rats as compared to the control group. However,
administration of rats with the compounds under investigation resulted in a significant reduction of
MDA, MPO and immunological markers levels, and increased in reduced glutathione and catalase levels
compared to the carcinogenic non treated group. Various pathological alterations were observed in liver
of chemically induced-carcinogenic group interestingly, results supported the protective effect of the
compounds under investigation and preserved the histological structures of liver tissues. These results
concluded that basic curcumin, tetrachlorocuprate-lysine and ascorbate exert chemopreventative effect
against hepatocellular carcinoma.