COMPARISM OF THE HYPOCHOLESTEROLEMIC EFFECT OF KOLAVIRON

(A GARCINIA KOLA SEED EXTRACT) WITH QUESTRAN

¹Nwaneri, V.O.; ²Anyanwu, K. C; ²Adaramoye, O.A. and ²Emerole, G.O

Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State

Department of Biochemistry University of Ibadan, Ibadan

Email: victoriaoby@yahoo.com

 ABSTRACT

The cholesterol lowering potentials of kolaviron; a biflavonoid complex from Garcinia kola seeds and Questran; a hypolipidemic therapeutic drug, administered orally to cholesterol-fed rats for a period of 8 consecutive weeks was investigated.Thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS), cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride levels were determined in the plasma. The result showed that kolaviron 100 and 200mg/kg produced over 80% reductions in plasma cholesterol while questran produced 20% decrease in plasma cholesterol. Similarly, kolaviron at the same doses decreased plasma LDL-C levels by over 90% whereas questran exhibited 24.1% reduction in plasma LDL-C. Furthermore, kolaviron inhibited lipid per oxidation by over 40% while quest ran exhibited 21.5% inhibition. The result of the present study demonstrates that kolaviron exhibits a greater efficacy in lowering plasma cholesterol levels than questran and thus suggest a possible use as a dietary supplement for the management and control of hypercholesterolemia.

KEY WORDS: Kolaviron, Questran Hypolipidemic, hypercholesterolemic, garcinia kola.