Effect of Nutrition with Turmeric, Curcumin and Tetrahydrocurcumin on Diabetic Rats

Abstract: This investigation was carried out to study the hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of turmeric, curcumin (the most active component of turmeric) and tetrahydrocurcumin (one of the active metabolites of curcumin) on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Chemical composition of turmeric was determined. Turmeric, curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) at levels of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight were orally administered to diabetic rats for six weeks. Blood glucose, plasma insulin, body weight gain and food efficiency ratio (FER) of rats were determined. Also, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides and phospholipids content were determined in the serum and liver of the rats. As well as the activities of serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were determined. The results indicated that turmeric, curcumin and THC led to a significant reduction in blood glucose but a significant increase in both body weight gain, food efficiency ratio and plasma insulin occured of diabetic rats. In addition, total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides and phospholipids in plasma decreased while HDL-C increased after administration of turmeric, curcumin and THC. These ingredients also caused a significant reduction in liver lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids) and suggesting its antihyperlipidemic effect. The activities of hepatic markers were significantly elevated in diabetic rats as compared to control rats. THC appeared to have a better protective effect on studied parameters followed by curcumin. The higher level (100mg/kg body wt) of those substrates have a more effect.
Publication year 2008
Organization Name
serial title J. Agric. Res. Kafer El-Sheikh Univ
Author(s) from ARC
External authors (outside ARC)
    محمد عوض عبدالجليل قسم علوم و تكنولوجيا الأغذية- كلية الزراعة- جامعة كفرالشيخ- مصر
    بديعه عبدالرحمن بيصار قسم علوم و تكنولوجيا الأغذية- كلية الزراعة- جامعة كفرالشيخ- مصر
Publication Type Journal
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