Preclinical Studies I
A.Blood Lipid Lowering Activity and Related Effects
Study 1
Objective: To study the effect of C. mukul on
the prevention and regression of hypercholesterolemia in rabbits.
Methods: Three sets of experiments were conducted on
the rabbits as discussed below:
Experiment 1.
Hypercholesterolemia was induced in rabbits through the
administration of hydrogenated groundnut oil. The control animals received 5 g/kg of
hydrogenated groundnut oil per day, while the treated group received 5 g/kg hydrogenated
groundnut oil along with 2 g/kg C. mukul oleoresin per day. The experiment was
conducted for 8 weeks. (figures 1 & 2)
Experiment 2.
The loading and unloading of cholesterol from the rabbits
were determined by feeding the rabbits crystalline cholesterol (500 mg/kg) in hydrogenated
groundnut oil (5 g/kg) for 2 weeks. After the two-week period, animals were either given
nothing (control group) or 2 g/kg of C. mukul per day (treatment group) for 2
weeks. (figures 3)
Experiment 3.
Hypercholesterolemia was induced in rabbits through the
administration of crystalline cholesterol. The control animals received crystalline
cholesterol (500 mg/kg) in hydrogenated groundnut oil (5 g/kg) per day for 8 weeks,
while the treated group received crystalline cholesterol (500 mg/kg) in hydrogenated
groundnut oil (5 g/kg) along with 2 g/kg C. mukul oleoresin per day. The experiment
was conducted for 6 weeks. (figures 4 & 5)
Blood samples were collected at the end
of each experiment to estimate the lipid profile. In addition, the animals were sacrificed
to examine tissues for the presence of atherosclerotic lesions
Results:
Figure 1
Effect of Commiphora mukul on hydrogenated groundnut oil-induced
hyercholesterolemic rabbits (values are mean ± S.E.).1
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Figure 2
Effect of C. mukul on the cholesterol levels in selected tissues of hydrogenated
groundnut oil-induced hypercholesterolemic rabbits (*statistically significant as compared
to control values).1
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Figure 3
Effect of C. mukul on the regression (unloading) of hypercholesterolemia
induced in rabbits by the administration of cholesterol in hydrogenated groundnut oil.1
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| Figure 4
Effect of C. mukul on serum cholesterol levels in cholesterol-induced
hypercholesterolemic rabbits (values are mean ± S.E.).1
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Figure 5
Effect of C. mukul on the cholesterol levels in selected tissues of
cholesterol-induced hypercholesterolemic rabbits (*statistically significant as compared
to control values).1
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Although no significant changes were observed in the
animals’ food intake, the body weight of animals fed C. mukul declined. The
control group developed plaques and swelling of the aorta. No visible lipid deposits or
plaques were noticed in the aorta of the treated group.
Conclusions: The oleoresin of C. mukul reduced the
levels of serum cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. In addition, it protected the
animals against induction of hypercholestrolemia by hydrogenated groundnut oil and
crystalline cholesterol as well as cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis.
Study 2
Objective: To investigate the hypocholesterolemic
activity C. mukul in chicks fed various fractions of gum guggul.
Methods: Healthy, eight-week old chicks were fed an
atherogenic diet consisting of 2% cholesterol and 5% cottonseed oil mixed with feed for 3
weeks. The hypercholesterolemia-induced chicks were divided into 4 groups of eight and fed
different fractions of guggul with feed.
Group 1.
Control
Group 2. Received 0.1 ml /kg of pure compound I (oily
guggul fraction that is terpenoid in nature)
Group 3. Received 1 ml/kg of an alcoholic extract of guggul
Group 4. Received 1 mg/kg of
pure extract II (guggul
fraction that is steroid in nature)
Blood samples were collected at the end
of each experiment to estimate the lipid profile
Results:
Figure 6
The effect of various guggul fractions on the percentage of cholesterol lowering
in chicks.2
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Conclusions: All fractions of C. mukul lowered the
serum cholesterol of the chicks, but the steroid fraction had the most potent
hypolipidemic activity.
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have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease" |
