Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term effects of small intakes of tsao-ko, turmeric and garlic on the levels of body fat, plasma lipids, lipid peroxides, glucose and liver lipids in adult mice. Six groups (n=8 per group) of adult male mice (25 weeks old) were fed a diet containing 1% or 0.1% tsao-ko (Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemair), turmeric or garlic powder for 90 days. The final percent change in body weight tended to be lower in mice in the tsao-ko diet group than that in turmeric diet group. There was a significant reduction in plasma and liver triacylylglycerol concentrations in mice on the 0.1% tsao-ko diet compared with those in the 0.1% garlic diet group. Plasma glucose concentrations were significantly lower in animals on the 1% tsao-ko and garlic diets compared with those on the 1% turmeric diet. The hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects of tsao-ko were more pronounced than those of turmeric or garlic.
