Standardization and pharmacological activities of a Curcuma comosa traditional formula for menopausal women

Menopause causes changes in lipid metabolism that increase the risk for cardiovascular disease [1]. In Thai traditional medicine, there are a number of traditional formulas for menopausal symptoms. One of those is a formula (CCZ) containing Curcuma comosa, Curcuma aromatica, and Zingiber montanum. Our studies were undertaken to standardize and evaluate pharmacological activities of the fomula. Pharmacognostic characters and TLC fingerprintings of each plant and CCZ were used for standardizing the formula according to WHO recommendation [2]. CCZ demonstrated estrogenic and antiosteoporotic activities in preliminary in vivo experiments. Oral administration of CCZ (0.5, 1 and 2g/kg/day) for 8 weeks decreased total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in hypercholesterolemic rats, but lower than simvastatin. No effect on triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and atherogenic index (AI) was observed. Furthermore, CCZ decreased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lesion development in aorta, heart, and liver. Moreover, CCZ (1 and 2g/kg/day) possessed a protective effect on increased TC, LDL-C, and AI. In conclusion, the result supported the traditional use of this formula in the management of menopausal symptoms related to cardiovascular disease.

Acknowledgements: Mahidol University Research Grant

References: 1. Carr, M.C. (2003)J Clin Endocrinol Metab 88: 2404–2411.

2. World Health Organization (1998) Quality Control Methods for Medicinal Plant Materials. World Health Organization. Geneva.