LIPID-LOWERING ACTIVITY OF GUGGULSTERONE FROM COMMIPHORA MUKUL IN HYPERLIPEMIC RATS

The lipid lowering action of guggulsterone, the active constituent of guggulipid, has been studied in triton and cholesterol fed hyperlipaem ic rats, Serum lipids were found to be lowered by guggulsterone (50 mg /kg, b.w.) in triton WR-1339 induced hyperlipaemia. Chronic feeding of this drug (5 mg/kg, b.w.) in animals simultaneously fed with choleste rol (25 mg/kg, b.w.) for 30 days, caused lowering in the lipid and apo protein levels of very low density and low density lipoproteins in exp erimental animals, Guggulsterone activates lipolytic enzymes in plasma and liver as well as stimulated receptor mediated catabolism of low d ensity lipoprotein, The hypolipidaemic activity of this drug is mediat ed through inhibition of hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis, increased f aecal bile acid excretion and enhanced plasma lecithin:cholesterol acy ltransferase activity.