Hypolipidaemic effect of alcoholic extracts of the plants Curcuma longa and Guatteria gaumeri

Abstract

Hyperlipidaemia is one of the commonly affecting diseases and a major risk factor for Diabetes mellitus, Obesity, Systemic Hypertension, Coronary heart disease, Stroke, etc., which alarms the essential need to maintain the blood lipid levels under normal limits. Curcuma longa L. belonging to Zingiberaceae family commonly called as ‘Indian Turmeric’ is a small perennial plant distributed in South Asia and is cultivated extensively throughout warmer parts India. It has many rhizomes on its root which are the source of Curcumin, a collection of 3-6% polyphenolic mixture of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. These Curcuminoids are major components responsible for various biological actions like anti-oxidant, anti-cancerous, anti-septic, anti-coagulant, anti-edematic, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, etc., The alcoholic extracts of Curcuma longa & Guatteria gaumeri were compared for their Hypolipidaemic effects by means of a Randomized Control Trial on Hyperlipidaemia patients which was executed with a Placebo control group for higher significance. Pre & Post Treatment Blood Lipid Profile results were analysed statistically. By the end of the study both the extracts showed good Cholesterol Lowering effect. Guatteria gaumeri (Mean lowering modulation - 45.9 mgs%) has proved to be much effective than Curcuma longa (Mean lowering modulation - 23.1 mgs%).