Hypocholesterolemic effect of Terminalia chebula fruit (Myrobalan) in mice
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Hypocholesterolemic effect of Terminalia chebula fruit (Myrobalan) in mice
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:
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H.S. Rathore, Sangeetha Soni, D Bhatnagar
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Hypocholesterolemic effect of Terminalia chebula fruit (Myrobalan) in mice
Year: 2004
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The study aims to evaluate the hypocholesterolemic effect of Terminalia chebula, commonly known as myrobalan, in cholesterol-fed mice. Previous research has suggested that myrobalan may play a curative role in heart diseases and obesity in humans. Given the link between serum cholesterol levels and cardiovascular diseases, this study seeks to provide experimental evidence for the cholesterol-lowering properties of myrobalan. The research involved administering powdered myrobalan to mice over 100 days while monitoring various parameters such as body weight, food intake, serum cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
Impact of Myrobalan on Cholesterol and Lipids
The findings indicate that mice fed a high-cholesterol diet exhibited increased body weight, food intake, and elevated serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, the oral administration of myrobalan successfully reversed these effects, leading to a significant reduction in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels despite not reducing food intake. The study suggests that myrobalan may enhance cholesterol excretion and alter its synthesis and degradation due to its saponin and tannin content. These compounds may prevent cholesterol absorption and promote the excretion of bile acids, thereby improving lipid profiles in mice on an atherogenic diet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the research demonstrates that myrobalan possesses hypocholesterolemic effects by potentially altering the synthesis and elimination of cholesterol in mice fed a high-cholesterol diet. The positive results suggest that myrobalan could be developed further as a therapeutic agent for managing cholesterol levels, contributing to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Future studies are encouraged to explore its mechanisms and benefits in broader contexts, including human applications.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What was the purpose of the study on Terminalia chebula?
The study aimed to evaluate the hypocholesterolemic effect of Terminalia chebula fruit in cholesterol-fed mice, particularly its potential to lower serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
How was Terminalia chebula administered to the mice?
Mice received an aqueous suspension of powdered myrobalan at a calculated dose of 128 mg/kg body weight/day, while being fed a diet containing 1% cholesterol over a period of 100 days.
What effects did myrobalan have on cholesterol-fed mice?
Oral administration of myrobalan significantly reversed increased body weight, serum cholesterol, and triglyceride levels induced by the cholesterol diet, suggesting its beneficial role in managing hyperlipidemia.
What compounds in myrobalan contribute to its health effects?
Myrobalan contains saponins and tannins, which may prevent cholesterol absorption, enhance bile excretion, and influence cholesterol metabolism, thereby lowering serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for 鈥淗ypocholesterolemic effect of Terminalia chebula fruit (Myrobalan) in mice鈥�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Diet:
In this context, 'diet' refers to the specific food intake of the mice involved in the study. The diet consisted of a standard mixture including 1% cholesterol, aimed at inducing hypercholesterolemia. Understanding the diet's role is crucial to evaluate the effects of Myrobalan supplementation on cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the experimental setup.
2) Terminalia chebula:
'Terminalia chebula' is the scientific name for myrobalan, a fruit used in the study to assess its hypocholesterolemic properties. Its significance lies in its potential health benefits, particularly in lowering cholesterol levels, thereby playing a crucial role in cardiovascular health and metabolism as evidenced by the study's findings.
3) Activity:
'Activity' here pertains to the tested physiological effects of myrobalan on mice following a high-cholesterol diet. The evaluation of hypocholesterolemic activity is critical to validate myrobalan's efficacy in promoting cardiovascular health, revealing its influence on weight, serum cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in the context of dietary interventions.
4) Discussion:
'Discussion' refers to the section where the implications of results are interpreted and evaluated. It elaborates on how myrobalan exerts its effects on cholesterol metabolism, potential mechanisms involved, and comparisons with other studies. This section contextualizes findings within broader scientific understanding, aiding in knowledge dissemination about herbal remedies.
5) Water:
'Water' in this study refers to the vehicle used to administer the myrobalan powder and serves as a control treatment. The significance of water is foundational in experimental designs, ensuring that the effects observed in treated groups can be accurately attributed to the myrobalan rather than any confounding factors.
6) Medicine:
'Medicine' encompasses the holistic study of health interventions, including the use of herbal products like myrobalan. This term highlights the integration of traditional knowledge and scientific evaluation, bridging ethnobotanical practices with modern therapeutic applications, thus contributing to the exploration of novel treatment options for conditions like hypercholesterolemia.
7) Zoology:
'Zoology' is the scientific field that studies animals, which is directly relevant here as the research is conducted on mice. The study's design and results contribute to zoological understanding of animal physiology, particularly concerning dietary influences on health, thus enriching the field of comparative biology and experimental methodologies.
8) Science (Scientific):
'Science' represents the systematic study of the natural world through observation and experimentation. This research exemplifies scientific inquiry aimed at understanding the biochemical implications of myrobalan on lipid metabolism, emphasizing evidence-based approaches in investigating natural products for potential therapeutic applications in health care.
9) Blood:
'Blood' is crucial in this research as the study measures serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, key indicators of lipid metabolism and cardiovascular health. Analyzing blood parameters allows for assessing the physiological impact of myrobalan, highlighting its potential role in managing dyslipidemia and informing future therapeutic strategies.
10) Devi (Dev墨):
'Devi' refers to Devi Ahilya University, the institution associated with one of the authors. This underlines the multidisciplinary collaboration in research, suggesting that academic institutions play a vital role in advancing knowledge in areas like biochemistry and pharmacology, driving forward innovative solutions in health through scientific exploration.
11) Drug:
'Drug' denotes substances used for medical treatment, emphasizing the classification of myrobalan as a medicinal product. The research explores its potential as a natural drug with hypocholesterolemic effects, thus contributing to the broader conversation about the efficacy and safety of herbal remedies in contemporary medicine.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: 鈥�Hypocholesterolemic effect of Terminalia chebula fruit (Myrobalan) in mice鈥�. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Food-intake, Statistical analysis, Experimental design, Flavanoids, Serum cholesterol, Antioxidant Action, Body weight, Saponins and tannins, Serum triglyceride, Control animals, Hypocholesterolemic Effect, Atherogenic Diet, Cholesterol feeding, Triterpenoid, Terminalia chebula fruit.