Aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) is a food contaminant fungal toxin that has been implicated as a causative agent in human hepatic and extrahepatic carcinogenesis. In this study we went on to show the effect of melatonin as a free radical scavenger on the production of microsomal hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) during the metabolic activation AFB(1). The production of microsomal H(2)O(2) in vitro during the metabolic activation of different chemical carcinogens has been reported previously. We also studied the effect of melatonin on the cytochrome P-450 content as a major microsomal monooxygenase isoenzymes system in rat liver responsible for the metabolic activation of AFB(1). The amounts of H(2)O(2) and cytochrome P-450 contents in rat treated with melatonin (0.2 mg/kg BW) and/or AFB(1) (0.2 mg/kg BW) at various time intervals has been measured. Animals treated with melatonin exhibited markedly inhibition in the amounts of H(2)O(2) after 1, 3, and 6 h. The highest level of inhibition (3.0 nmol H(2)O(2)/mg protein) was detected after 6 h. However, cytochrome P-450 contents were also decreased after the same period of time. The highest level of inhibition (2.1 nmol/mg protein) was detected after 3 h of injection. A pronounced augmentation of H(2)O(2) production was observed in rat treated with AFB(1) only. The highest level of H(2)O(2) (100 nmol/mg protein) was measured after 1 h. Cytochrome P-450 contents were also decreased in response to AFB(1) injection over the same time intervals. Contrary data was detected in animals received both AFB(1) and melatonin. The generation of H(2)O(2) was inhibited by melatonin after 1, 3 and 6 h. The highest level of inhibition (44.2 nmol/mg protein) was observed after 6 h. Finally, these data suggested that melatonin as a free radical scavenger inhibited the microsomal production of H(2)O(2) in rat treated with AFB(1).