ObjectiveTo explore the effects of curcumin on lipid profile and liver function in mice with hyperlipidemia.MethodsC57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=10 per group): control group, model group, low-dose curcumin group, and high-dose curcumin group. A hyperlipidemia model was established by intragastric administration of a fat emulsion. Serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG), as well as hepatic levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), were measured using biochemical assays. Hepatic histopathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Oil Red O staining. The ultrastructure of liver mitochondria was observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to quantify hepatic levels of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase F (PPIF), malate dehydrogenase 1 (MDH1), and acyl-CoA synthetase medium-chain family member 1 (ACSM1). Western blotting was used to assess the protein expression of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB).ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited increased hepatic lipid deposition, elevated serum levels of TG and LDL-C, higher hepatic levels of MDA, AST, AST/ALT ratio, 8-OHdG, and NF-κB protein expression, along with reduced serum HDL-C, hepatic SOD, T-AOC, PPIF, MDH1, ACSM1, and PPARα protein expression (P<0.05). In contrast, both low- and high-dose curcumin group significantly attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation, lowered serum TG and LDL-C levels, decreased hepatic MDA, AST, 8-OHdG, and NF-κB protein expression, and increased serum HDL-C, hepatic SOD, T-AOC, PPIF, MDH1, ACSM1, and PPARα protein expression (P<0.05). Furthermore, the high-dose curcumin group demonstrated superior effects compared to the low-dose group, with higher hepatic T-AOC, PPIF, MDH1, and ACSM1 levels, as well as reduced 8-OHdG and NF-κB protein expression (P<0.05).ConclusionCurcumin effectively reduces blood lipid levels, mitigates hepatic lipid deposition, enhances antioxidant capacity, and ameliorates mitochondrial dysfunction in hyperlipidemic mice. The underlying mechanism may be associated with the modulation of the PPARα/NF-κB signaling pathway.