A comparative study on hypocholesterolaemic effect of allicin, whole germinated seeds of bengal gram and guggulipid of gum gugglu

The daily use of allicin and whole germinated bengal gram seeds for 8 weeks led to a significant decrease in serum cholesterol levels in normal volunt eers with no side effects. The standard reference, guggulipid therapy, sign ificantly (p < 0.001) reduced the mean serum cholesterol level to 142.88 +/ - 24.14 mg/100 mt from an initial status of 211.91 +/- 6.23 mg/100mL (32.36 % +/- 12.18% fall). Allicin treatment significantly reduced the mean serum cholesterol level to 129.99 +/- 2.79 mg/100 mt from a pre-treatment value o f 148.10 +/- 8.81 mg/100mL, a fall of 13.36% +/- 4.64%, The serum cholester ol value was reduced to 135.62 +/- 22.85 mg/100 mt from a pre-treatment val ue of 157.29 +/- 4.94 mg/100mL (17.15% +/- 9.94% fall) due to daily use of whole germinated bengal gram seeds, Hence the hypocholesterolaemic effects of allicin and whole germinated bengal gram seeds are comparable to the est ablished standard reference, guggulipid, These two materials are herbal in origin and it is supposed to have a lesser risk-benefit ratio compared with other available synthetic drugs. The inclusion of these herbal products in the normal diet may be an alternative effective measure for hypercholester olaemia. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.