Hypolipidemic and antioxidant potency of heat processed turmeric and red pepper in experimental rats
Year: 2008
Type: article
Abstract: The hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant potency of both raw and pressure- cooked turmeric and red pepper wereevaluated in experimental rats rendered hypercholesterolemic by feeding 0.5% cholesterol enriched diet andmaintained for 8 weeks on 5% spice diet. Dietary turmeric and red pepper, either raw or heat processed significantlycountered the extent of hypercholesterolemia. Serum total cholesterol was 31 and 32% lower as a result of feedingraw and heat processed turmeric. The same was lower by 16 and 23% in animal groups fed raw and heat processedred pepper. The reduction in blood cholesterol brought about by these two dietary spices was predominantly in theLDL-cholesterol fraction. Dietary red pepper, both raw and heat processed fully countered the increase in serumtriglyceride content of hypercholesterolemic rats. Increase in hepatic cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic animalswas moderately countered by dietary red pepper, either raw or heat processed. Both dietary turmeric as well as redpepper significantly countered the increase in hepatic triglyceride level in hypercholesterolemic rats. Total thiols inserum were slightly but significantly increased by raw turmeric and raw red pepper both in basal and inhypercholesterolemic rats, but not by heat processed spices. Serum -tocopherol was significantly enhanced (81 -113%) by both dietary turmeric and red pepper in hyper-cholesterolemic animals. Hepatic lipid peroxides weresignificantly lower (9 - 15%) as a result of dietary turmeric and red pepper in hypercholesterolemic situation. Thus,the results of this animal study suggested that although heat processing of turmeric and red pepper by pressurecooking resulted in a considerable loss of the active principles – curcumin and capsaicin, the hypolipidemicpotency or the antioxidant potency of the parent spices were not significantly compromised.
DOI: 10.5897/ajfs.9000158
Authors: H. Manjunatha, Krishnapura Srinivasan
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2133454214