Effect of long term-administration with Gymnema sylvestre R. BR on plasma and liver lipid in rats

Extract of Gymnema sylvestre leaves was administered to rats receiving eith er a high fat diet or normal fat diet for 10 weeks to investigate its influ ence on plasma and liver lipids and on visceral fat accumulation. In additi on, its effect was compared with those of chitosan and the influence of com bined use of these two substances was also evaluated. Within the high fat d iet groups, the extract suppressed bod, weight gain and accumulation of liv er lipids to the same extent as chitosan and the combined use. In addition, intraperitoneal fat and fat drop vacuoles on the epithelium of renal tubul es, noted in the high fat diet group, were scattered by administration of t he extract with the same results as for chitosan and combined use. Within t he normal fat diet groups, plasma triglyceride levels decreased by administ ration of the extract, with similar results as chitosan and combined use. C oncerning plasma total cholesterol, there was no decreasing effects with th e extract, as found with chitosan and combined use. However, the effect of chitosan on plasma total cholesterol tended to be enhanced when used in com bination with the extract, In addition, long-term administration of the ext ract did not shun any influeuce on hematological and blood chemical paramet ers.