Anti-Atherosclerotic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Curcumin on Hypercholesterolemic Male Rabbits

Curcumin has a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may suppress inflammatory component of atherosclerosis. It has been demonstrated that curcumin derivatives can reduce the formation of arterial fatty streaks in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Therefore in this study we evaluated the protective effects of Curcumin on the progression of atherosclerosis. 20 mature rabbits were included for this study; they were randomly divided into four groups each of 5. Group 1: (normal control) were fed corn pellets diet and tab water, group 2: (high cholesterol diet control) were kept on cholesterol rich diet (2% cholesterol) and tab water. Group 3: (cholesterol and rosuvastatin treated group) were kept on cholesterol rich diet (2% cholesterol) and 2.5 mg/kg/day Rosuvastatin dispersed in DW and given orally, group 4: (cholesterol and curcumin treated group) were kept on cholesterol rich diet (2% cholesterol) and 0.2% curcumin added with corn pellets. The study continued for 12 weeks then assessment of serum level of high sensitive C-reactive protein, ICAM1, VCAM1 and PCSK9 was carried out at the end of the study. Total antioxidant activity of curcumin was also determined. Histopathological examination of aortic tissues for atherosclerotic changes was also carried out. Atherogenic (cholesterol rich diet) induced an increment in serum level of TC, LDL, VLDL and TG with concomitant decrement in serum level of HDL and increased atherogenic index. Treatment with curcumin produced substantial reduction in serum TC, LDL, TG with no effect on HDL level thus decreased atherogenic index. Rabbits treated with curcumin showed a significant reduction in the serum level of high sensitive C-reactive protein, ICAM1, VCAM, PCSK9 serum expression and aortic total antioxidant capacity. Curcumin has a potent anti-inflammatory and anti- oxidant effects against atherosclerosis so exerts a protective role by decreasing lipid oxidation and inflammatory markers.