Comparative Study of Hypolidemic effects of Ethanolic extract of Rhizomes of Curcuma longa (turmeric) Versus Pioglitazone in Alloxan induced Diabetic Rats

Background: Rhizomes of Curcuma Longa belonging to the genus, Curcuma is widely used for medicinal purpose. Its ethanolic extract has been used traditionally as a hypolipidemic. Objectives: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the hypolipidemic effects of ethanolic extract of Rhizomes of Curcuma longa in Alloxan induced diabetic rats with high fat diet and compared with of Pioglitazone, which has anti-diabetic and action. Materials and method: Alloxan monohydrate was used to induce diabetes mellitus in albino rats in the dose of 120 mg/kg Intraperitonelly and hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding animals with high fat diet orally. The body weights of the rats in every group was recorded weekly. Six groups of 6 animals in each received normal saline for normal control, normal saline for diabetic control, turmeric extract (TE) 300 mg/kg/day for euglycemic rat, Diabetic rat with high fat diet 10 mg/kg/day (turmeric extract 300 mg/kg/day), diabetic rat with high fat diet 10 ml/kg/day (turmeric extract 500 mg/kg/day), Diabetic rats with High fat diet 10 ml/kg/day (pioglitazone respectively for 4 weeks). After overnight fasting, 2 ml of blood was collected in from orbital sinuses of all animals. Various biochemical parameters were estimated like blood sugar and lipid profile. The data was analyzed statistically using student’s paired and unpaired t-test. Results: Turmeric extract significantly raised HDL levels both in healthy and diabetic rats. TE (500 mg/kg) is more efficient as compared to 300 mg/kg dose, as TE (500 mg/kg) has also reduced VLDL, LDL levels in Group V which was statistically highly significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Present study revealed that the turmeric has hypolipidemic action and can be safely used in the treatment of mild to moderate cases of hyperlipidemia.