Effect of curcumin on cholesterol gall-stone induction in rats

Abstract

To study the effects of curcumin on the formation of cholesterol gallstones, 30 female rats were divided into three equal groups. Diet of rats in lithogenic group was supplemented with 0.5% cholesterol, 0.15% sodium cholate and 0.15% lecithine, whereas, rats in curcumin group were fed similar to lithogenic group with 0.5% curcumin extra for 10 weeks. Lithogenic diet induced stone formation in rats. Cholesterol concentration was significantly decreased in bile of curcumin rats group relative to those of lithogenic group. The number of cholesterol microcrystal was significantly more in bile of rats under lithogenic diet compared to other groups. In curcumin group, the formation of cholesterol crystals and aggregation of microcrystals were not visible, indicating that curcumin could significantly reduce the possibility of gallstoue formation. © GSP, India.