Antihyperlipidemic potential of Combinatorial Extract of Curcumin in triton-induced

hyperlipidemia in rats.

Ginpreet Kaur, Meena C

School of Pharmacy &Technology Management SVKM’s, NMIMS University, Vile Parle (W)
Mumbai-400056 INDIA
Email id : krismeena@gmail.com,ginpreet.aneja@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION

Curcumin, obtained from the root of the plant Curcuma longa Linn (family
Zingiberaceae), is one such medicine that has enormous potential for a variety of
diseases, as it is a non-toxic, highly Curcumin, obtained from the root of the plant
Curcuma longa Linn has enormous potential for a variety of diseases. Despite having
wide spectrum of pharmacological actions, the medicinal properties of curcumin cannot
be utilized due to its low bioavailability. Therefore in view of the foregoing, there is an
extensive need for combinatorial extract “Curcumin with piperine and quercetin” which
may enhance bioavailability of oral curcumin by inhibiting the enzymes responsible for
the metabolism of curcumin.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was undertaken to assess the hypolipidemic, hypocholesterolemic and
hypotriglyceridemic potential of the combinatorial extract of curcumin using Triton induced
hyperlipidemia.

METHODOLOGY
The animals were divided into four group’s normal control, hyperlipidemic
control, and hyperlipidemic plus combinatorial extract of curcumin and hyperlipidemic plus
Lovastatin. Hyperlipidemia was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of Triton X-100 (100
mg/kg). Combinatorial extracts of Curcumin (100mg/kg) was orally administered, immediately as
well as 24 h after triton injection. Blood was collected at 24 & 44 hr by retro-orbital sinus puncture
method in EDTA coated vials and biochemical estimation was studied using enzymatic assay kit.
The difference between groups was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed
by Dunnett's test with 5% level of significance (P<0.05).

RESULTS
Triton administration increased serum level of Cholesterol (Ch), Triglycerides (TG) (137.0 ±9.09,
301.24 ± 7.62mg/dl respectively as compared with normal control group. Treatment with
Combinatorial extract of curcumin exhibited quite competitive potential when compared with the
reference drug Lovastatin affording a possible alternative therapeutic agent in the treatment of
hyperlipidemia.

INTRODUCTION
The history of herbal medicines is really the history of mankind as every culture and race
has relied upon herbs for its medicines.
Traditional and folklore medicines still play an important role in health services around the
globe. India has an extensive forest cover, enriched with plants with various
pharmacologically beneficial effects. One such example of a successful plant is Curcuma
Longa as it has higher safety margin than the synthetic drugs and it’s cost effectiveness
with extensive research within last half a century has indicated that curcumin a yellow
pigment in curry powder, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory,
and many other pharmacologically beneficial effects. Despite having wide spectrum of
pharmacological actions, the medicinal properties of curcumin cannot be utilized due to
its low in vivo bioavailability. Hence, there exists need for combinatorial extract
“Curcumin with piperine” which may enhance bioavailability of oral curcumin by inhibiting
the enzymes responsible for the metabolism of curcumin.

OBJECTIVE

Objective of the study is to evaluate the immunomodulatory and antioxidant activity of

combinatorial extract over curcumin extract alone. The immunomodulatory activity was assessed
in albino wistar rats and mice using cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia and carbon
clearance test as models for study.

METHODOLOGY

Animals were divided into 4 groups with six animals in each group
Albino wistar rats were given the drug or vehicle orally for 10 days. On 10th day, neutropenic
dose of cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously and this was labeled
as day zero. Blood was collected and heparinised, on 10th day before administration of
cyclophosphamide and on day 3 after injection of cyclophosphamide. The WBC count
and haemoglobin content in treated groups were compared with values of control group. .
Immunomodulatory activity was evaluated using cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia and
carbon clearance test as study models. The evaluation parameters are WBC count and
haemoglobin content for cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia study model and phagocytic
index calculated from carbon clearance test.
Catalase (CAT) activity was determined in erythrocyte lysate using Aebi’ s method with some
modifications.
Glutathione estimation was measured by addition of erythrocyte lysate in 1. 5 ml of Tris-HCl
buffer (pH 8) and 0.25 ml of DTNB reagent. The increase in absorbance after 1 min was read
at 412 nm.The activity was expressed as µmoles/gm of haemoglobin.

RESULTS
The combinatorial extract encouraged an increase in levels of WBC count and Haemoglobin
content in cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia, as compared to curcumin alone.
The increase phagocytic index was also found to be increased in the combinatorial extract
receiving mice. The antioxidant activity was assessed by estimation of levels of SOD, CAT and
GSH in the eryththrocyte lysate of the animals. The levels of these enzymes were found to be
increased in the combinatorial extract receiving animals suggesting that the Combinatorial Extract
of Curcumin showed significant free radical scavenging activity. The results obtained showed that
the combinatorial extract have more significant immunomodulatory and antioxidant activity.
Abstract: 
For countless centuries, turmeric has been used not only as a spice but as a healing
aid in traditional Asian medicine. Curcumin's anti-inflammatory properties have
been known in Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicines for thousands of years. Curcumin,
the natural pigment that gives the spice turmeric its yellow colour, has increasingly
come under the scientific spotlight in recent years, with studies investigating its
potential benefits for reducing cholesterol levels, improving cardiovascular health,
immunomodulatory, antioxidant effects, reducing the risk of Alzheimer's, and
potential protection against cancer. Curcumin is one such medicine that has enormous
potential for a variety of diseases, higher safety margin than the synthetic drugs and is
cost effectiveness. Despite having wide spectrum of pharmacological actions, the
medicinal properties of curcumin cannot be utilized due to its low in vivo bioavailability.
Therefore in view of the foregoing, there is an extensive need for combinatorial extracts
which may enhance bioavailability of oral curcumin by inhibiting the enzymes
responsible for the metabolism of curcumin. Thus the objective of present study is to
evaluate the immunomodulatory and  antioxidant activity of combinatorial extract over
curcumin extract alone. The immunomodulatory activity was assessed in albino wistar
rats and mice using cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia and carbon clearance test as
models for study. In cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia , increase in the levels of
WBC count and Haemoglobin content was found to be  more in combinatorial extract as
compared to curcumin alone. The increase phagocytic index was also found to be
increased in the combinatorial extract receiving mice. The antioxidant activity was
assessed by estimation of levels of SOD, CAT and GSH in the eryththrocyte lysate of the
animals. The levels of these enzymes were found to be increased in the combinatorial
extract receiving animals suggesting that the Combinatorial Extract of Curcumin showed
significant free radical scavenging activity. The results obtained showed that the
combinatorial extract have more significant immunomodulatory and antioxidant activity.