HYPOLIPEDAEMIC ACTIVITY OF PICROLIV IN ALBINO-RATS

The hypolipidaemic action of picroliv, a standarized preparaton from P icrorhiza kurrooa, has been studied in normal as well as in triton- an d cholesterol-fed rats,Serum lipids were found to be lowered by picrol iv (25 mg/kg b.w.) in triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipaemia. Chronic fe eding of this drug (6 mg/kg b.w.) in normal rats and in animals simult aneously treated with cholesterol (25 mg/kg b.w.) for 30 days caused l owering in the lipid and protein levels constituting beta-lipoproteins followed by an increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol in ex perimental animals. Picroliv alters lipolytic activities in plasma, li ver, heart an adipose tissues and stimulated receptor mediated catabol ism of low density lipoprotein. The Lipid lowering action of the natur al product is mediated through inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis in liver, increased faecal bile acid excretion and enhanced plasma lec ithin: cholesterol acyltransferase activity.