• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1064-1070
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• 2012

The current study examined the effect of turmeric powder on bile acid and UDP-glucuronyl transferase activity in rats fed a high-fat and -cholesterol diet. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing $120{\pm}10$ g were randomly assigned to a normal diet group (N group) and a high-fat and -cholesterol diet group (HF group), which was further divided into a high-fat and high-cholesterol with a 2.5% tumeric powder supplement group (TPA group) and 5% turmeric powder-supplemented group (TPB group). Body weight gain and food efficiency ratio were significantly increased in the N group as compared to the HF group, but they were significantly decreased in turmeric-supplemented groups as compared to the HF group. The total serum cholesterol and TG contents of the turmeric-supplemented groups were decreased as compared to those of the HF group. Especially, the TPB group was significantly decreased as compared to the HF group. The serum LDL-cholesterol and AI of the turmeric-supplemented groups were decreased as compared to the HF group. The hepatic triglyceride contents of all groups supplemented with the tumeric powder were significantly decreased as compared to the HF group. The hepatic UDP-glucuronyl transferase activity of the turmeric-supplemented groups was increased as compared to the HF group. In particular, the TPB group was significantly increased as compared to the HF group. The serum total bile acid contents of the turmeric-supplemented groups were increased as compared to the HF group. These results suggest that tumeric has powerful health benefits that are created via UDP-glucuronyl transferase activity, bile acid, and lipid metabolism.