Effects of Garcinia atroviridis on serum profiles and atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta of guinea pigs fed a high cholesterol diet

Amran AA, Zaiton Z, Faizah O, Morat P
Correspondence: Dr Zaiton Zakaria, zaitonz@medic.ukm.my

ABSTRACT
Introduction The fruit extract of Garcinia atroviridis (G. atroviridis) contains hydroxycitric acid and flavonoids, which have been reported to have a hypolipidaemic property. This extract with solvent methanol was used to investigate its effects on serum lipid profiles of guinea pigs fed a high cholesterol diet.
Methods 24 male Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs were randomly divided into four groups. The first group served as controls and was fed with commercial rabbit chow. The second group was given only G. atroviridis by oral gavage (50 mg/body weight). The third group was fed a one percent cholesterol diet in food pellets in order to induce atherosclerosis. The fourth group was administered G. atroviridis with cholesterol. All the treatments were given daily for eight weeks, after which the animals were sacrificed, and the blood and aorta were taken for biochemical analysis and histological studies.
Results The supplementation of G. atroviridis with a cholesterol diet decreased the level of lipid profile in the serum. Histological studies showed a reduction in fat deposition in the aorta of high cholesterol diet animals given G. atroviridis as compared to the high cholesterol diet group.
Conclusion This study has shown that dietary intake of G. atroviridis has a tendency to decrease lipid composition levels in the serum and reduce fat deposition in the aorta of high cholesterol diet animals.

Keywords: atherosclerosis, cholesterol, Garcinia atroviridis, lipid profile
Singapore Med J 2009; 50(3): 295-299