Anti-hyperlipidaemic and antioxidant effects of turmeric oil in hyperlipidaemic rats

This study was to evaluate the anti-hyperlipidaemic and antioxidant effects of turmeric oil (TO), the supercritical fluid extract from turmeric, in hyperlipidaemic rats induced by a high-fat diet. TO significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the levels of serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and free fatty acid and increased (p < 0.05) that of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in this model. It also markedly elevated (p <0.05) the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and lowered (p <0.05) maleic dialdehyde activity, to suppress oxidative reactions. Besides, histological morphology examination showed that TO prevented the damage of liver tissues induced by high-fat diet. Thus, the findings indicate that TO might provide protection against cardiovascular diseases. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.