NZ624269B - Method for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are methods of treating hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, atherosclerosis and hypertriglyceridemia induced fatty liver and/or pancreatitis through the administration of Calebin A (3E)-4-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxo-3-buten-1-yl (2E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)acrylate).

Description

METHOD FOR THE TREATMENT OF HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA Field of the invention The invention in general relates to therapeutic management methods for hypercholesterolemia. More specifically, the present invention relates to the management of hypercholesterolemia in mammalian subjects using therapeutically effective amounts of Calebin A.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Description of prior art Hypercholesterolemia is a condition characterized by very high levels of cholesterol in the blood. The common medical causes of hypercholesterolemia include, 1. Carcinoma, hepatocellular; 2. Hypertriglyceridemia; 3. Familial hypercholesterolemia; 4. Coronary artery disease; . Diabetes mellitus; 6. Nephritic syndrome; 7. Zieve's syndrome; 8. Anorexia nervosa; 9. Lack of physical activity; . Obesity; and 11. Diet rich in saturated fat While the human body requires cholesterol for multifarious functions like building cell membranes, making hormones, and producing fat digestive compound, excessive cholesterol increases a person's risk of developing heart disease. People with hypercholesterolemia have a high risk of developing a form of heart disease called “atherosclerotic heart disease” or “coronary artery disease” where excess cholesterol in the bloodstream is deposited in the walls of blood vessels, particularly in the arteries that supply blood to the heart (coronary arteries). The abnormal buildup of cholesterol forms clumps (plaque) that narrow and harden artery walls. As the clumps get bigger, they can clog the arteries and restrict the flow of blood to the heart. The buildup of plaque in coronary arteries causes a form of chest pain called angina and greatly increases a person's risk of having a heart attack. In general optimized cholesterol metabolism is required for healthy living. Cholesterol travels through the bloodstream in small packages called lipoproteins.

Two kinds of lipoproteins carry cholesterol throughout the body: low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Having healthy levels of both types of lipoproteins is important.LDL cholesterol sometimes is called “bad” cholesterol. A high LDL level leads to a buildup of cholesterol in arteries. HDL cholesterol sometimes is called “good” cholesterol. This is because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. The liver then removes the cholesterol from your body. Effective therapeutic management methods for hypercholesterolemia aim to reduce LDL cholesterol and increase levels of HDL cholesterol so that excess cholesterol may be removed efficiently from the body.

Accordingly, it is the principle objective of the present invention to disclose method of therapeutically managing hypercholesterolemia in mammals using therapeutically effective amounts of Calebin A, or to provide the public with a useful choice.

The present invention fulfills the principle objective and provides related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [007a] In one aspect, the invention provides a use of Calebin A in the manufacture of a medicament for reducing high levels of circulating cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) in a mammal, wherein the medicament is for oral administration. [007b] In another aspect, the invention provides a use of Calebin A in the manufacture of a medicament for reducing high levels of serum triglycerides in a mammal, wherein the medicament is for oral administration. [007c] In another aspect, the invention provides a use of Calebin A in the manufacture of a medicament for aiding in preventing, delaying the onset of and/or slowing the progression of atherosclerosis in a mammal, wherein the medicament is for oral administration. [007d] In another aspect, the invention provides a use for Calebin A in the manufacture of a medicament for preventing, delaying the onset of and/or slowing the progression of hypertriglyceridemia induced fatty liver and/or pancreatitis, wherein the medicament is for oral administration. [007e] In a further aspect, the invention provides a use for Calebin A in the manufacture of a medicament for treating hypercholesterolemia, wherein the medicament is for oral administration.

Disclosed is a therapeutic management method of hypercholesterolemia in mammals.

More specifically, described herein is a method of reducing high levels of circulating cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) in the blood stream of mammals, said method involving step of administering therapeutically effective amounts of Calebin A to said mammals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MOST PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Described herein are: 1. A method of reducing high levels of circulating cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) in mammalian blood, said method involving step of orally administering therapeutically effective amounts of Calebin A to said mammals to achieve the effect of reducing the concentration of total cholesterol in the blood. 2. A method of treating hypercholesterolemia in mammals, said method involving step of orally administering therapeutically effective amounts of Calebin A to bring about effects of (i) reducing the concentrations of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and (ii) increasing the concentrations of high density lipoproteins (HDL) in the blood of said mammals. 3. A method of reducing high levels of serum triglycerides in mammals, said method involving the step of orally administering therapeutically effective amounts of Calebin A to mammals in need of such reduction. 4. A method for aiding in preventing, delaying the onset of and/or slowing the progression of atherosclerosis in a mammal, said method comprising step of orally administering therapeutically effective amounts of Calebin A to said mammal to achieve (i) a reduction in the concentration of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and (ii) an increase in the concentration of High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) in the blood.

. A method of aiding in preventing, delaying the onset of and/or slowing the progression of hypertriglyceridemia induced fatty liver and/or pancreatitis in a mammal, said method comprising step of orally administering therapeutically effective amounts of Calebin A to said mammal to bring about the effect of reducing serum triglyceride concentration. 6. Calebin A for use in treating hypercholesterolemia in mammals wherein the effect of reducing the amount of total blood cholesterol levels is achieved in said mammals by the oral administration of therapeutically effective amounts of Calebin A. 7. Calebin A for use in treating hypercholesterolemia in mammals wherein the effects of (i) reducing the concentrations of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and (ii) increasing the concentrations of high density lipoproteins (HDL) in the blood of said mammals is achieved by the oral administration of therapeutically effective amounts of Calebin A . 8. Calebin A for use in treating serum hypertriglyceridemia in mammals wherein the effect of reducing the concentrations of serum triglycerides in said mammals is achieved by the oral administration of therapeutically effective amounts of Calebin A. 9. Use of Calebin A in a therapeutic method for treating hypercholesterolemia in mammals wherein the effect of reducing the amount of total blood cholesterol levels is achieved in said mammals by the step of orally administering therapeutically effective amounts of Calebin A.

. Use of Calebin A in a therapeutic method for treating hypercholesterolemia in mammals wherein the effects of (i) reducing the concentrations of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and (ii) increasing the concentrations of high density lipoproteins (HDL) in the blood of said mammals is achieved by step of orally administering therapeutically effective amounts of Calebin 11. Use of Calebin A in a therapeutic method for treating serum hypertriglyceridemia in mammals wherein the effect of reducing concentrations of serum triglycerides in said mammals is achieved by step of orally administering therapeutically effective amounts of Calebin A. [009a] In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art. [009b] In the description in this specification reference may be made to subject matter that is not within the scope of the claims of the current application. That subject matter should be readily identifiable by a person skilled in the art and may assist in putting into practice the invention as defined in the claims of this application.

The detailed description of the preferred embodiments as specified herein above is further substantiated by illustrative examples set forth below.

Example I Acute Oral Toxicity of Calebin A Table I lists the parameters studied for Acute Oral Toxicity of Calebin A.

Results: No mortality was observed up to 2000 mg/kg p.o. in mice up to two weeks of observation.

TABLE I Parameters studied for Acute Oral Toxicity of Calebin A General Behaviour Dermal Aggression=Nil Blanching=Nil Fear=Nil Hyperaemia=Nil Passive=Nil Cyanosis=Nil General Movement=Normal General Locomotor Activity=Normal Central Nervous System General Parameters Excitation= Nil Muscular Weakness=Nil Motor Activity=Nil Salivation=Nil Tremors=Nil Pilo Erection=Nil Clonic Convulsions=Nil Diarrhea=Nil Tonic Convulsion=Nil Respiratory System R e f l e x e s Respiration Rate= Normal Corneal=No effect Respiration Depth=Normal Pinnal=No effect Autonomic Nervous System F ood and Water (Intake and Excretion) Motor Activity=Normal Fecal Output=Normal Atexia=Nil Urine Output=Normal Respiration Rate=Normal Diarrhea=Nil Animal Experiment for demonstrating the effect of Calebin A in treating hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia.

Test System details 1. Animal species: Mice. 2. Strain : C57. 3. Source : In-House 4. Body weight range . Males – 22.1 - 25.8 g 6. Females – 20.3 – 23.9 g 7. Age at treatment : 8-10 weeks 8. Number of Groups : 5 groups ( One Control, One High fat diet control and three treatment groups) 9. Number of animals / group : Each group consists of 10 animals (5 Males + 5 Females). Female animals used were nulliparous and non-pregnant . Total number of animals : 50 11. Identification : Cage cards and individual animal ear notching method. 12. Experimental condition: Obesity as a risk factor for hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia Test Performance A. Husbandry a. Conditions: The animals were housed under standard laboratory conditions, air- conditioned with adequate fresh air supply (Air changes 12-15 per hour), room temperature 22 ± 3oC, relative humidity 30-70 %, with 12 hours light and 12 hours dark cycle. The temperature and relative humidity are recorded once daily. b. Housing: Individual animals were housed in a standard polypropylene cage (Size: L 290 x B 140 x H 140 mm) with stainless steel mesh top grill having facilities for holding pellet feed and drinking water in water bottle fitted with stainless steel sipper tube. Clean sterilized paddy husk is provided as bedding material. c. Acclimatization: The animals were acclimatized for 5 days to laboratory conditions and were observed for clinical signs daily. d. Diet: The animals were fed ad libitum with AMRUT Laboratory Animal Feed manufactured by Pranav Agro Industries Limited, Sangli, Maharastra throughout the acclimatization.Open Source Diet D12450B diet (with 10 kcal% Fat) and Open Source Diet D12492 High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat) manufactured by Research Diet Inc, USA procured from Indus Marketing, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA was used for induction of obesity and the main study. e. Water: Clean drinking water was provided ad libitum throughout the acclimatization and obesity induction period. Deep bore-well water passed through reverse osmosis unit was provided in plastic water bottles with stainless steel sipper tubes.

B. Grouping Grouping of animals was done on the last day of acclimatization by body weight randomization and stratification method. Grouping of animals was done such that body weight variation of animals used does not exceed ±20% of the mean body weight of each group.

C. Study Design The animals were divided into 5 groups viz., Group 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 consisting of 10 animals (5 male and 5 female) each. The group details, doses and number/sex of animals per group are presented in Table II.

TABLE II Number. of Dose Animal numbers Animals Group Treatment (mg/kg Bwt) Male Female Male Female Control (with 10 kcal% Fat) - 5 5 1-5 26-30 High fat diet Control - 5 5 6-10 31-35 (with 60 kcal% Fat) Calebin A 5 mg/kg + 5 5 11-15 36-40 High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat) Calebin A 10 mg/kg + 5 5 16-20 41-45 High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat) Calebin A 20 mg/kg + 5 5 21-25 46-50 High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat) Total : 25 25 - - Total number of animals : 50 D. Animal treatment a. Dose Volume: Dose volume/animal=10 ml/kg body weight for all animals throughout the study period b. Obesity induction: The G1 Control group animals were fed with normal control diet feed D12450B containing 10 kcal % fat and the G2 to G5 group animals were fed with high fat diet feed D12492 containing 60 kcal % fat during the induction of obesity and during main study. Obesity induction was done considering the scientific rationale that obesity is a serious risk factor for hypercholesterolemia. c. Main Study: The main study was started after the induction of obesity. The 3 doses of Calebin A was administered to animals from Day 29 daily consecutively for a period of 28 days. The feeding of diets continued in the main study in a similar way as performed in induction of obesity.The G1 Control and G2 High fat diet control group animals were administered with 0.5% CMC (Carboxy Methyl Cellulose) while other group animals received test item from Day 29 to Day 56 of the study period. The dose volume of administration was maintained according to the weekly body weight of individual animals. d. Duration of the study: The total duration of the study was 61 days (5 days Acclimatization period + 28 days Induction of obesity + 28 days Main study).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND REPORT PREPERATION The raw data obtained from the present study were subjected to computer statistical processing. The computer printout of the data (in the form of appendix) was verified with the original raw data. After verification, the data was subjected to One-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) with Dunnett’s post test for the data on body weights, hematology and clinical chemistry parameters, organ weights using GraphPad Prism version 5.01, GraphPad Software. All analyses and comparisons was evaluated at the 95% level of confidence (P<0.05), indicated by the designated by the superscripts of a where G1 is compared to G3, G4, G5, and G6 and b where G2 is compared to G3, G4, G5, and G6 throughout the report as stated below: *: Statistically significant (P<0.05) wherever applicable.

The data were subjected to One way – ANOVA statistical analysis by comparing the following : G1 group {Control group (with 10 kcal% Fat)} to G3 group {Calebin A 5 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)}, G4 group {Calebin A-10 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)} and G5 group {Calebin A-20 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)} as represented below: G3 group G1 group Calebin A-5 mg/kg + Control group High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat) (with 10 kcal% Fat) G4 group Calebin A-10 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat) G5 group Calebin A-20 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat) G2 - High fat diet Control (with 60 kcal% Fat) to G3 group {Calebin A-5 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)}, G4 group { Calebin A-10 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)} and G5 group { Calebin A-20 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)} as represented below: G3 group Calebin A-5 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat) G2 group G4 group High fat diet Control Calebin A-10 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat) (with 60 kcal% Fat) G5 group Calebin A-20 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat) Results (TABLES IV, IV (a), V, V (a)) At the completion of the study period, blood samples were collected from all the animals in tubes containing potassium ethylene di-amide tetra acetic acid (K2-EDTA) anticoagulant for hematology and without anticoagulant for clinical chemistry. The blood samples collected in tubes without anticoagulant were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes to obtain serum. Blood samples were collected humanely from retro-orbital plexus puncture method under mild ether anesthesia with the help of a fine capillary tube. The following clinical chemistry parameters were analyzed.

The following clinical chemistry parameters (TABLE III) were analyzed using the “Erba Mannheim Chem Touch analyzer” (Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd., India) from serum samples.

Parameters Units Total Protein g/dL Albumin g/dL Glucose mg/dL Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) IU/L Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) IU/L Triglycerides mg/dL Total Cholesterol mg/dL High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) mg/dL Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDL) mg/dL Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) mg/dL TABLE IV CLINICAL CHEMISTRY PARAMETERS (Male animals) Group Treatment Total Albumin Glucose ALT/SGPT AST/SGOT Triglycerides Total Protein Cholesterol G1 Control 5.05 2.74 144.40 75.67 85.22 81.94 53.32 (with 10 ±0.59 ±0.14 ±11.46 ±24.15 ±27.88 ±12.97 ±16.84 kcal% Fat) G2 High fat diet 4.88 2.71 133.35 71.07 117.74 96.85 104.84 Control ±0.56 ±0.60 ±58.39 ±34.80 ±35.42 ±10.60 ±40.97 (with 60 kcal% Fat) G3 Calebin A 2.73 159.30 64.35 86.99 76.53 63.46 mg/kg ±0.23 ±17.02 ±24.58 ±35.22 ±17.11 ±16.64 + 4.74 High fat diet ±0.23 (with 60 kcal% Fat) G4 Calebin A 2.43 130.49 54.81 89.48 65.15** 61.86* mg/kg ±0.42 ±21.28 ±13.58 ±35.58 ±10.43 ±21.26 + 5.08 High fat diet ±0.49 (with 60 kcal% Fat) G5 Calebin A 2.66 105.89 48.44 90.17 62.35** 70.48 mg/kg ±0.17 ±37.17 ±9.73 ±25.87 ±14.20 ±14.59 + 4.42 High fat diet ±0.48 (with 60 kcal% Fat n=5; Values - Mean±Standard Deviation; P<0.05 TABLE IV (a) CLINICAL CHEMISTRY PARAMETERS (Male animals) Group Treatment HDL (mg/dl) VLDL (mg/dl) LDL (mg/dl) G1 Control 27.19 ± 14.72 10.66 ± 3.37 77.68 ± 8.14 (with 10 kcal% Fat) G2 High fat diet 32.07 ± 14.01 20.97 ± 8.19 100.61 ± 15.44 Control (with 60 kcal% Fat) G3 Calebin A 20.46 ± 15.67 12.69 ± 3.33 85.55 ± 20.87 mg/kg High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat) G4 Calebin A 41.80 ± 21.20 12.37* ± 4.25 97.45 ± 23.49 mg/kg High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat) G5 Calebin A 47.26 ± 29.34 14.10 ± 2.92 94.46 ± 18.38 mg/kg High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat n=5; Values – Mean ±Standard Deviation; P<0.05 TABLE V CLINICAL CHEMISTRY PARAMETERS (Female animals) Group Treatment Total Albumin Glucose ALT/SGPT AST/SGOT Triglycerides Total Protein Cholesterol G1 Control 4.81 (with 10 ±0.20 2.90 107.03 68.60 77.79 kcal% Fat) ±0.26 ±38.92 ±14.86 ±27.59 60.79 ±7.33 65.18 ±15.95 G2 High fat diet Control (with 60 4.70 2.90 123.04 38.05 99.71 kcal% Fat) ±0.34 ±0.18 ±19.04 ±10.32 ±34.93 63.70 ±11.62 64.56 ±23.24 G3 Calebin A mg/kg High fat diet (with 60 5.37 2.82 134.52 41.73 80.51 kcal% Fat) ±0.80 ±0.19 ±26.85 ±5.39 ±32.35 60.15 ±10.25 75.71 ±13.90 G4 Calebin A mg/kg 2.80 112.34 63.29 79.89 + 4.91 ±0.38 ±11.35 ±32.86 ±50.05 59.70 ±4.33 47.54 ±14.21 High fat ±0.20 diet (with 60 kcal% Fat) G5 Calebin A mg/kg High fat diet a, b (with 60 4.88 2.35* * 93.58 55.51 79.91 kcal% Fat ±0.27 ±0.45 ±11.49 ±16.94 ±36.82 52.88 ±4.56 69.14±21.88 n=5; Values - Mean±Standard Deviation; P<0.05 TABLE V (a) CLINICAL CHEMISTRY PARAMETERS (Female animals) Group Treatment HDL (mg/dl) VLDL (mg/dl) LDL (mg/dl) G1 Control (with 10 kcal% Fat) 68.11 ±37.46 13.04 ±3.19 59.19 ±9.99 G2 High fat diet Control (with 60 kcal% Fat) 64.97 ±36.66 12.91 ±4.65 90.30 ±24.98 G3 Calebin A mg/kg High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat) 81.59 ±51.69 15.14 ±2.78 78.68 ±17.68 G4 Calebin A mg/kg High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat) 66.85 ±39.10 9.51 ±2.84 61.20* ±12.22 G5 Calebin A mg/kg High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat 66.67 ±44.62 13.83 ±4.38 52.31** ±11.11 n=5; Values - Mean±Standard Deviation; P<0.05 Interpretation of results: Clinical chemistry parameters statistical analysis comparison between G1 to G3, G4, G5, and G6 Albumin In female animals, there was statistically significant decrease in mean Albumin values of G5 group {Calebin A- 20 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)} compared to G1 group {Control group (with 10 kcal% Fat)}. These changes can be considered as incidental as there was no dose dependent response.

Clinical chemistry parameters statistical analysis comparison between G2 to G3, G4, G5, and G6 Triglycerides In male animals, there was decrease in mean Triglycerides values of G3 group {Calebin A- 5 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)} G4 group {Calebin A- 10 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)}, G5 group {Calebin A- 20 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)}, compared to G2 group High fat diet Control (with 60 kcal% Fat). This decrease in mean Triglycerides value changes could be due to the effect of the test item Calebin A.

Total Cholesterol In male animals, there was decrease in mean Total Cholesterol values of G3 group {Calebin A- 5 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)} G4 group {Calebin A- 10 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)}, G5 group {Calebin A- 20 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)} compared to G2 group High fat diet Control (with 60 kcal% Fat). This decrease in mean Total Cholesterol value changes could be due to the effect of test item Calebin A.

Albumin In female animals, there was statistically significant decrease in mean Albumin values of G5 group {Calebin A- 20 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)} compared to G2 group High fat diet Control (with 60 kcal% Fat). These changes can be considered as incidental as there was no dose dependent response.

Low Density Lipoproteins In male and female animals, there was decrease in mean Low Density Lipoproteins values of G3 group {Calebin A- 5 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)} G4 group {Calebin A- 10 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)}, G5 group {Calebin A- 20 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)} compared to G2 group High fat diet Control (with 60 kcal% Fat). This decrease in mean low density lipoprotein values changes could be due the effect of the test item Calebin A.

High Density Lipoproteins In male and female animals, there was increase in mean high Density Lipoproteins values of G4 group {Calebin A- 10 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)}, G5 group {Calebin A- 20 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)} compared to G2 group High fat diet Control (with 60 kcal% Fat). This increase in mean high density lipoprotein values changes could be due the effect of the test item Calebin A.

Very Low Density Lipoproteins In male and female animals, there was decrease in mean Very Low Density Lipoproteins values of G3 group {Calebin A- 5 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)} G4 group {Calebin A- 10 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)}, G5 group {Calebin A - 20 mg/kg + High fat diet (with 60 kcal% Fat)} compared to G2 group High fat diet Control (with 60 kcal% Fat). This decrease in mean very low density lipoprotein values changes could be due the effect of the test item Calebin A Conclusion: Calebin A at effective concentration doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg body weight (i) decreased LDL and VLDL concentrations in the blood of hypercholesterolemic mammals; (ii) increased HDL concentrations in the blood of hypercholesterolemic mammals and (iii) lowered serum triglyceride concentrations in the blood of hyperlipidemic mammals.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims.

Calebin-A naturally occurs in some Curcuma species along with two isomeric forms of Demethoxy-Calebin A and a single isomer of Bis-Demethoxy Calebin A. These three analogs of Calebin A occur in minute quantities. But they share many of the properties of Calebin A to a large extent depending on the test system. Hence the claims on the uses of Calebin A very well extend to these natural s and synthetic analogs also.

The term 'comprising' as used in this specification and claims means 'consisting at least in part of'. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include 'comprising'; other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement can also be present. Related terms such as 'comprise' and 'comprised' are to be interpreted in a similar manner.

Claims (10)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A use of Calebin A in the manufacture of a medicament for reducing high levels of circulating cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) in a mammal, wherein the medicament is for oral administration.

2. A use of claim 1, wherein the medicament brings about the effects of (i) reducing the concentrations of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and (ii) increasing the concentrations of high density lipoproteins (HDL) in the blood.

3. A use of Calebin A in the manufacture of a medicament for reducing high levels of serum triglycerides in a mammal, wherein the medicament is for oral administration.

4. A use of Calebin A in the manufacture of a medicament for aiding in preventing, delaying the onset of and/or slowing the progression of atherosclerosis in a mammal, wherein the medicament is for oral administration.

5. A use of claim 3 wherein the medicament achieves (i) a reduction in the concentration of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and (ii) an increase in the concentration of High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) in the blood.

6. A use for Calebin A in the manufacture of a medicament for preventing, delaying the onset of and/or slowing the progression of hypertriglyceridemia induced fatty liver and/or pancreatitis, wherein the medicament is for oral administration.

7. A use of claim 6 wherein the medicament reduces serum triglyceride concentration.

8. A use for Calebin A in the manufacture of a medicament for treating hypercholesterolemia, wherein the medicament is for oral administration.

9. A use of claim 8, wherein the medicament reduces the amount of total blood cholesterol.

10. A use of claim 8, wherein the medicament brings about the effects of (i) reducing the concentrations of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and (ii) increasing the concentrations of high density lipoproteins (HDL) in the blood.