HYPOLIPEMIC AND ANTIATHEROSCLEROTIC EFFECTS OF ZINGIBER-OFFICINALE INCHOLESTEROL-FED RABBITS

Hyperlipidaemic rabbits when challenged with a 50% EtOH extract of Zin giber officinale showed a reduction in total cholesterol and serum LDL -cholesterol, A reduction in HDL ratio was seen in atherofed rabbits c ompared with controls which were restored when challenged with the Zin giber extract. An atherogenic index of 4.7 was brought down to 1.2 usi ng plant products. The tissue lipid profiles of liver, heart and aorta showed similar changes to those noticed in serum lipids, Zingiber ext ract feeding increased the faecal excretion of cholesterol thus sugges ting a modulation of absorption.