Introduction: A high fat intake through a high-fat diet (HFD) has been linked to hyperlipidaemia. Hyperlipidaemia is an important risk factor for obesity, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and hypertension. Curcumin is a yellow pigment obtained from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, commonly used as a spice and food colourant. Curcumin extract has been published to possess several biochemical benefits, including anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic and hypo-cholesterolaemic activities. Methods and objectives: This study compared the effect of Meta-Switch (MS) and Curcuma longa ethanolic extract (CLEE) on lipid profiles in Wistar rats fed with HFD. Thirty (30) male Wistar rats were randomly classified into six (6) groups of five (5) rats each. Rats in Group I was fed a normal diet. Rats in Groups (II, III, IV, V and VI) were fed HFD for two (2) weeks. Rats in Group I and II were treated with distilled water. Group III, IV, and V rats were orally administered 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5g/Kg of CLEE for another 2 weeks. Group VI rats were orally administered 1g/Kg of MS supplement for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, the animals were humanely sacrificed. Blood samples were collected in heparinized bottles to obtain plasma samples for the measurement of total cholesterol (Chol), triglycerides (Trig), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL). Results: Group II rats fed with HFD had high plasma Chol, LDL, and Trig but low HDL levels compared to Control Group I and Groups II, III, IV, V and VI (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 or p < 0.001). However, Groups III, IV, V and VI rats administered with CLEE and MS, respectively, after HFD had a reverse of Group II rats with HFD alone, i.e. low plasma Chol, LDL, and Trig but high LDL levels compared to the Group II rats (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 or p < 0.001). The low plasma Chol, Trig and LDL and the high plasma HDL obtained were more in 2.5 g/Kg followed by 2.0 g/Kg and 1.5 g/Kg CLEE. The plasma LDL and HDL were lower and higher, respectively, in Group VI, administered with 1 g/Kg MS than those of Group V, administered with 2.5 g/Kg CLEE after HFD. HFD produced high plasma lipid profile in the Wistar rats. However, CLEE or MS supplements improved the plasma lipid profile after HFD in the rats. Nonetheless, MS produced a better improvement in the plasma lipid profile than CLEE in the rats. Conclusion: MS may be useful in reducing the plasma levels of total Chol, LDL, and Trig and improves the level of HDL in humans.
