Evaluation of Curcuma longa Linn. for hypolipidaemic effects

Abstract

Ethanolic extracts of Curcuma longa Linn. (CLL) was evaluated for the hypolipidaemic effects in atherogenic diet fed rabbits and compared with a standard hyoplipidaemic drug lovastatin. Animals under atherogenic diet only, showed significantly raised serum cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL and LDL levels at the 4th and 16th week of study. There was significant decrease in HDL level at 16th week of study. CLL administration at doses of 1.6 mg/kg/day and 3.2 mg/kg/day along with atherogenic diet significantly decreased all the lipid parameters except HDL at 4th and 16th week. The levels were 38.8 ± 3.06, 39.3 ± 2.16, 7.86 ± 0.43 and 9.3 ± 3.76 respectively for 1.6 mg/kg/day dose and 38.5 ± 2.25, 41.6 ± 3.32, 8.33 ± 0.66 and 6.33 ± 1.58 for 3.2 mg/kg/day dose respectively at 4th week.At 16 weeks, the lipid levels were found to be 37.6 ± 2.54, 37.6 ± 2.06, 7.53 ± 0.41 and 6.46 ± 3.06 respectively at 1.6 mg/kg/day dose and 37.5 ± 1.87, 37.5 ± 1.87, 7.5 ± 0.37 and7.16 ± 2.13 respectively at 3.2 mg/kg/day dose of CLL. Lovastatin also reduced all the above lipid parameters except HDL at 4th week and 16th week. The HDL levels in all the groups of animals under CLL as well as lovastatin increased in 4th week and it was significantly increased at 16th week. The reduction in lipid parameters of both the test doses of CLL was comparable with that of lovastatin.