Lowering of serum cholesterol by Temoe Lawak Singer, a Curcuma mixture.

Temoe Lawak Singer (RVG 08637) consists of a mixture of an extract of the roots of Curcuma aromatica rhizoma and whole roots of Curcuma amara rhizoma and Rhamni purshianae cortex; it has cholerectic and chologougic activity. The addition of Temoe Lawak Singer to a high-cholesterol diet, but not a cholesterol-free diet, was found to lower both serum and liver cholesterol in rats. When the rats were fed Temoe Lawak Singer as 0.1, 0.5 or 1.0% (w/w) of the high-cholesterol diet for 22 days, serum cholesterol concentrations were lowered by 4, 10 and 19%, respectively. The lowest dose induced a 20-% decrease in liver cholesterol, and higher doses did not cause further reduction. The fecal excretion of bile acids was decreased by 1.0% of Temoe Lawak Singer in the diet. It is suggested that Temoe Lawak Singer taken at normal doses may lower serum cholesterol in man.