INFLUENCE OF DIETARY SPICES ON ADRENAL STEROIDOGENESIS IN RATS

Experiments were carried on adult rats which were fed the following diets for 2 months: Control, Curcumin (0.5%), Capsaicin (15mg%), Ginger (50mg%), Black pepper (0.5%), cumin (1.25%), Mustard (250mg%), Fenugreek (2%) and onion (3%). Adrenal weights in the various experimental groups were comparable to controls. Adrenal cholesterol was found to be significantly lower in all the spice fed animals except mustard suggesting a higher rate of cholesterol turnover to corticosteroid hormones. Cholesterol depletion was accompanied by reduced ascorbic acid content in the adrenals of curcumin, capsaicin, fenugreek and onion fed rats. Urinary excretion of 17-oxo and 17-hydroxy steroids which are the metabolites of corticosteroids was significantly higher in these spice fed groups. These data are indicative of the stimulatory influence of dietary spices on adrenal steroidogenesis.