Hypolipidaemic efficacy of <i>Capparis decidua </i>fruit and shoot extracts in cholesterol fed rabbits

Abstract

High fat diet caused significant (8-fold) increase in serum total cholesterol in rabbits. Administration of <i>C.decidua </i>fruit extract (50% ethanolic) at the dose of 500mg/kg body weight significantly reduced serum total cholesterol (61%), LDL cholesterol (71%), triglycerides(32%) and phospholipids(25% ). Similarly <i>C</i>. <i>decidua </i>shoot extract lowered serum total cholesterol (48%), LDL cholesterol (57%), triglycerides (38%) and phospholipids (36%).The cholesterol content of aorta was decreased by 44 and 28% in fruit and shoot extract treatment respectively. The HDL to total cholesterol ratio and atherogenic index was significantly decreased in plant extract treated groups suggesting antiatherosclerotic nature of these plant extract. These results reveal the hypolipidaemic potential of <i>C</i>. <i>decidua </i>fruit and shoot.