Role of Curcumin in Protecting DNA Damage in Lymphocytes from human population chronically exposed to Arsenic in Nadia District, West Bengal

Arsenic contamination in ground water has become a massive health hazards in 8 districts of West Bengal state. Besides various diseases, arsenic is also known to be a cause of cancers of skin and gastro – intestinal tract in the chronically exposed population. This project envisages establishing the use of Curcumin (active component of turmeric) as a chemo-preventive agent against arsenic-induced genotoxicity.

Target population:

Population from High – Arsenic areas of West Bengal.

Supported
by:

Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India.

Period:

2005 – 2008.

Investigator:

Maqsood Siddiqi.

Collaborator:

Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata.