Effect of Curcumin and α-Lipoic Acid in Attenuating Weight Gain and Adiposity

AbstractObjective: Obesity is growing at epidemic proportions worldwide. Natural compounds curcumin and α-lipoic acid have been shown to reduce body-weight gain in both preclinical and clinical studies. This study examined the effect of a combination of curcumin and α-lipoic acid on weight gain and adiposity in high-fat-diet (HFD)-fed mice.Methods: C57BL6 mice (7 weeks old) were randomly assigned to receive either HFD (60% fat) or a normal diet (ND, 10% fat) for a 12-week period, following which the mice receiving HFD were further assigned to supplemental curcumin (0.07%), α-lipoic acid (0.2%), or a combination of curcumin and α-lipoic acid formulated into the HFD for a further 12 weeks. Food intake and body mass were determined on a weekly basis. Body fat composition was determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.Results: Treatment with both curcumin and α-lipoic acid significantly reduced body weight gain in HFD-treated mice, and the combination was more effective in attenuating body weight compared...