Hypolipidemic effects of curcumin, cinnamon, vitamin C and simvastatin in domestic rabbits

This study investigated the hypolipidemic effects of curcumin, cinnamon, vitamin C and simvastatin in male rabbits. The hypolipidemic effect of these materials were assessed by following the effects on body weight, the lipid profile and liver enzymes. The lipid profile includes total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL). The liver activities enzymes include aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum. Highly significant increases in lipid profile parameters of rabbit group were found in rabbits fed with high lipid diet only over the respective values in the control group. Liver function profile showed a significant increase in this group as compared to those in the control group. The groups treated with curcumin, cinnamon, vitamin C and simvastatin showed a variable significant decrease in lipid profile in this order: cinnamon > vitamin C > simvastatin > curcumin and in liver functions profile in this order: curcumin > simvastatin > vitamin C > cinnamon. Groups treated with these materials showed significant body loss as compared to untreated rabbits in this order: cinnamon > curcumin > vitamin C > simvastatin.