Comparative effects of curcumin and photo-irradiated curcumin on alcohol- and polyunsaturated fatty acid-induced hyperlipidemia.

It is a known fact that ethanol increases lipid levels in humans and experimental animals. Reports show that the increased intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) along with alcohol produces various pathological changes in liver resulting in hyperlipidemia. Heating of oil rich in PUFA produces various lipid peroxidative end products, which aggravate the pathological changes. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of curcumin (C) and photo-irradiated curcumin (IC) on alcohol- and PUFA-induced hyperlipidemia. Our results showed that the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in plasma and levels of cholesterol, triglycerides (TGs) and free fatty acids (FFAs) in tissues were increased significantly in both alcohol + raw as well as heated PUFA groups compared to normal, but decreased significantly on treatment with curcumin and IC. The IC treatment decreased the levels more significantly compared to curcumin. The phospholipids (PLs) were increased significantly in heart and intestine and decreased in liver and kidney in both alcohol + raw as well as heated PUFA groups. The levels were significantly decreased in liver and kidney and increased in intestine and heart in both curcumin- and IC-treated groups. But the effect of IC was more pronounced than curcumin. Histopathological observations were also in correlation with the biochemical parameters. Thus, photo-irradiated curcumin proves itself to be more effective than curcumin in treating the above pathological conditions. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.