Curcumin dietary supplementation enhances serum carbohydrate-degrading enzyme activities in buffaloes

Curcumin, the major bioactive compound found in turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a subject of intensive research, due to its multiple bioactivities. Previous studies have investigated metabolic effects of curcumin in humans or established animal research models such as mice, but studies with farm animals have been scarce. In this work, we aimed to study the effects of curcumin supplementation in Bulgarian Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), on the serum activities of seven important carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes, β-glucuronidase, α-galactosidase, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, β-galactosidase, N-acetyl-hexosaminidase, and mannosidase. Curcumin was supplemented at a dose of 50 g per animal, per day, and serum activities of the studied enzymes were determined at the start (day 0), middle (day 14), and end (day 28) of the supplementation period. A tendency for increased activity of all studied enzymes was observed upon supplementation with curcumin, with the activity levels of five of the enzymes displaying statistically significant upregulation at day 28 (β-glucuronidase, α-galactosidase, β-galactosidase, N-acetyl-hexosaminidase, and mannosidase). These upregulated activities are in general indicative of increased carbohydrates turnover and detoxification processes, and might provide clues for a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of curcumin in vivo, as well as for novel approaches to rationally impact animal or human health and wellbeing through targeted supplementation.