Protective Effects of Curcumin Phytosomes Against High-Fat Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis.

Abstract

Curcumin has been shown to have beneficial effects on pathogenic factors involved in the development of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of curcumin phytosomes on atherosclerosis induced by high-fat diet in rabbits. A total of 16 adult male New Zealand white rabbits (1.8-2kg) were fed with a diet containing 0.5% cholesterol for 4weeks. The rabbits were randomly divided into four groups of four animals each. Group I orally received PBS for 4weeks. Group II animals were treated with curcumin-phosphatidylcholine solid state dispersion (Meriva®, Indena, Italy) suspended in normal saline at doses equivalent to 100mg/kg of curcuminoids per day p.o., for 4weeks. Groups III and IV were treated with curcumin-phosphatidylserine solid state dispersion (Meriserin®, Indena, Italy) suspended in normal saline at doses equivalent to 10 and 100mg/kg of curcuminoids, respectively, per day p.o., for 4weeks. For atherosclerosis evaluation, histological examinations on aortic arch section were performed. Blood samples were obtained to determine lipid profile and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. Curcumin-phosphatidylserine (100mg/kg) therapy resulted in a significant reduction in grading of atherosclerotic plaque and intima/media thickness ratio (P<0.05) and decreased presence of inflammatory cells in the atherosclerotic lesions compared to the control group. However, no significant differences were observed between the curcumin-phospholipid preparations and the control group regarding lipid profile and hs-CRP levels. Results of the present study revealed an atheroprotective effect of curcumin-phosphatidylserine (100mg/kg) solid dispersion as revealed by a reduction in the development of atherosclerotic lesions.