An ethanolic‐aqueous extract of Curcuma longa decreases the susceptibility of liver microsomes and mitochondria to lipid peroxidation in atherosclerotic rabbits
Affiliations: Department of Physiology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain | Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain | Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
Note: [] To whom correspondence should be addressed: Angel Gil, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de Alimentos (INYTA), Universidad de Granada, C/Rector López Argüeta s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain. Tel.: +34 58 244173; Fax: +34 58 281164; E‐mail: agil@ goliat.ugr.es.
Abstract: Atherosclerosis is characterized by oxidative damage which affects lipoproteins, the walls of blood vessels and subcellular membranes. This study evaluates the antioxidant capacity of a Curcuma longa extract on the lipid peroxidation of liver mitochondria and microsome membranes in atherosclerotic rabbits. Male rabbits fed a 3% (w/w) lard and 1.3% (w/w) cholesterol diet were randomly assigned to three groups. Two groups were treated with different dosages of a turmeric extract (A and B) and the third group (control) with a curcumin‐free solution. Basal and in vitro 2,2'‐azobis (2‐amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)‐induced hydroperoxide and TBARS productions in liver mitochondria and microsomes were analyzed. Group A had the lowest concentration of mitochondrial hydroperoxides. In microsomes, the basal hydroperoxide levels were similar in all groups but, after the induction of oxidation, group C registered the highest value; TBARS production followed the same trend in mitochondria. These findings suggest that active compounds in curcuma extract may be protective in preventing lipoperoxidation of subcellular membranes in a dosage‐dependent manner.
Journal: Biofactors, vol. 8, no. 1-2, pp. 79-85, 1998
