Lowering of lipid composition in aorta of guinea pigs by Curcuma domestica

Animals were given food pellets containing 4% (w/w) powdered rhizome of C. domestica in order to determine its effect on cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid levels in the aorta and serum. The animals were fed either a cholesterol free diet or a high cholesterol diet (2% cholesterol, w/w, in food pellet) in order to induce hypercholesterolemia.. After five weeks of this diet treatment, blood and aorta were taken for biochemical analysis and histological studies.C. domestica in the diet showed no significant effect on the levels of cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid in the serum and aorta of the cholesterol free diet animals. However, addition of C. domestica to a high cholesterol diet counteracted increases in the levels of cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid in the aorta. Histology studies showed less cholesterol deposits in the aorta of high cholesterol diet animals given C. domestica compared to the high cholesterol diet animals not given C. domestica supplement. C. domestica also had a lowering effect on triglyceride level in the serum of high cholesterol diet animals but showed no effect on serum cholesterol and phospholipid levels.This study has shown that dietary intake of C. domestica decreased all lipid composition levels in the aorta and also the serum triglyceride level. In addition, C. domestica also reduced cholesterol deposition in the aorta of high cholesterol diet animals.Curcuma domestica, Valeton (Zingiberaceae) or tumeric (locally known as kunyit) has been widely used in India and other parts of Southeast Asia as a spice and a coloring agent in cooking. It is rich in vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins and also contains an array of oils. In traditional medicine, the rhizomes are used to treat gum inflammation, rheumatism and diarrhea. The medicinal properties of C. domestica have prompted many studies to be carried out to determine its pharmacological activities. Ghatak and Basu (1972) [1] found that curcumin (a bioactive compon