(Hongsirinirachorn, et al. 2003), this would require
the consumption of 1.56–3.12 kg Khi Lek curry/
day which would be impossible under normal
conditions. Thus, the anhydrobarakol consumed
from KL curry was unlikely to cause
hepatotoxicity. The consumption of unboiled Khi
Lek leaves gives a much higher anhydrobarakol
content. The toxicity data of barakol in mice
(intraperitoneal injection), showed that a lethal
dose of barakol was high (LD50 = 324.09 mg/kg;
Jantarayota, 1987). Barakol in doses of 60–240
mg/kg also decreased triglycerides and the effect
persisted for at least two weeks in the recovery
group. Barakol may disrupt liver functions,
especially lipid metabolism and bilirubin, in a
dose-dependent manner. These effects were
reversible. The literature indicated that barakol
may be clinically used in short-term treatments
(Pumpaisalchai et al., 2005). Despite the toxicity
reports for Khi Lek capsules, KL curry is still a
popular food in Thailand. Other ingredients in KL
curry may have an influence on the low level of
toxicity.