EFFECTS OF CURCUMA-XANTHORRHIZA ROXB AND CURCUMINOIDS ON THE LEVEL OFSERUM AND LIVER LIPIDS, SERUM APOLIPOPROTEIN-A-I AND LIPOGENIC ENZYMES IN RATS

Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb., a medicinal plant used in Indonesia, has b een shown to exert diverse physiological functions. However, little at tention has been paid to its effect on lipid metabolism. We have inves tigated the effects of C. xanthorrhiza on serum and liver lipids, seru m high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and apolipoprotein (apo) A-1, and liver lipogenic enzymes in rats. In rats given a cholesterol- free diet, C. xanthorrhiza decreased the concentrations of serum trigl ycerides and phospholipids, and liver cholesterol, and increased serum HDL-cholesterol and apo A-1. The activity of liver fatty acid synthas e, but not glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, was decreased by the medici nal plant. In rats on a high-cholesterol diet, C. xanthorrhiza did not suppress the elevation of serum cholesterol, although it did decrease liver cholesterol. Curcuminoids prepared from C. xanthorrhiza had no significant effects on the serum and liver lipids. These studies, ther efore, indicate that C. xanthorrhiza contains an active principle(s) o ther than curcuminoids which can modify the metabolism of lipids and l ipoproteins.