Effect of administration with the extract of Gymnema sylvestre R. Br leaves on lipid metabolism in rats

Extract of Gymnema sylvestre R, Br leaves (GE) was orally administered once a day to rats fed a high fat diet or normal fat diet for 3 weeks to invest igate its influence on lipid metabolism, As a result, CE did not influence body weight gain or feed intake in both diet groups during the experimental period. The apparent fat digestibility was significantly decreased by GE i n both diet groups for the last 2 weeks of the experimental period, though not the apparent protein digestibility, In addition, the excretion of neutr al sterols and acid steroids into feces was increased by GE in both diet gr oups. Furthermore, GE decreased the total cholesterol and triglyceride leve ls in serum. On the other hand, blood lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity was increased by GE. Moreover, it was suggested that CE inf luenced cecal fermentation and that propionic acid and acetic acrid content s in cecum were significantly increased by GE. Consequently, it was suggest ed that GE improved serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels through influ ence over a wide range of lipid metabolism in rats.