Anti-atherogenic effects of morelloflavone from Garcinia dulcis leaves in cholesterol fed rabbits

Usawadee Decha-Dier, Nongporn Hutadilok-Towatana, Wilawan Mahabusarakam, Kitja Sawangjaroen, Decha Pinkaew

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

A biflavonoid, morelloflavone isolated from leaves of Garcinia dulcis Kurz was investigated for its ability to reduce plasma lipids and prevent progression of atherosclerotic lesions in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Male rabbits were divided into 6 groups. Group 1 received a regular diet, Group 2 received a regular diet with 0.02% (w/w) of G. dulcis derived morelloflavone, Group 3 was fed a diet containing 1% (w/ w) cholesterol to induce hypercholesterolemia, and Group 4 to Group 6 had their 1% cholesterol diets supplemented with morelloflavone at concentrations of 0.005%, 0.01% and 0.02%, respectively. During a 4 month-experimental period, rabbits were monitored for their body weights and plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels monthly and the extent of aortic atherosclerotic lesions were analysed at the end of the period. The levels of plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and TBARS as well as intimal thickening within aortas were increased in all animals fed with cholesterol diets. Such increases, however, were reduced in the presence of morelloflavone. The concentrations of morelloflavone that showed inhibitory effects in all cases were 0.005% and 0.0 1%, whereas the 0.02% dosage was ineffective.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)151-159
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Natural Remedies
Volume8
Issue number2
StatePublished - Jul 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Atherosclerosis
  • Atherosclerotic lesion
  • Garcinia dulcis
  • Hypercholesterolemic rabbit
  • Hypolipidemic effect
  • Morelloflavone

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology

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