Abstract

HYPOLIPIDEMIC EFFECT OF ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF ALPINIA CALCARATA ROSC RHIZOMES IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

T. Purushoth Prabhu*, S. Ravichandran, K. Murali and R. Suresh

ABSTRACT

Alpinia calcarata Rosc (Zingiberaceae) have been used to treat various disease in indigenous system of medicine. In the present study, an attempt was made to evaluate hypolipidemic effect of Alpinia calcarata Rosc was carried out. The alcoholic extract (100, 200 and 400 mg / kg p.o) of Alpinia calcarata Rosc, rhizomes produced a significant reduction of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein, and increase in high density lipoprotein which shows potent hypolipidemic activities in animal models. Moreover treatment with alcoholic extract prevented the accumulation of cholesterol in aorta, liver, and kidney was examined by histopathological studies.

Keywords: Alpinia calcarata, zingiberaceae, hypolipidemic activity.