Abstract

RHODODENDRON ARBOREUM AS A POTENT ANTI CHOLESTEROLEMIC AGENT- A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Jegan B. S.* and Selvaraj D.

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at investigating the antilipidemic activity of Rhododendron arboreum leaf in Wistar albino rats. 30 male Wistar albino rats weighed 150 to 200g were divided into five groups marked A to E with 6 rats in each group. Group A= Control, Group B= Oil fed, Group C= Sample A, Group D= Sample B, Group E= Sample C. The rats in group A which are maintained as Control received normal diet. Group B is fed with ground nut oil and standard diet in 1:4 ratio for inducing lipid level which served as a model reflecting human condition. Group C, D and E were fed with powdered plant leaf along with normal diet in the ratio 1:9, 2:8 and 3:7 respectively. Blood samples were collected using standardized method. The estimation of total serum cholesterol, total HDL-C, total LDL-C, total triglycerides and total VLDL -C level were carried out using standard procedure. Maximum decrease in total cholesterol (34.75±2.16 mg/dl) was observed on day 28 in the rats fed with R.arboreum leaf powder in group D. Group C rats showed a maximum increase in HDL (19.5±1.51 to 37.33±2.06 mg/dl) on day 28 of observation. Maximum reduction in total serum LDL-C level (3.66±0.81mg/dl) was noticed on 28th day of observation in group E rats. Maximum reduction in total triglyceride level was seen in group E rats , where it decreased from 89.33±1.75 mg/dl on day 0 to 29.16± 1.47 mg/dl on day 28. Maximum reduction in serum VLDL-C level (6.16±0.98) was noticed in group E rats on day 28. The observed cholesterol – reducing actions of the leaf powder of Rhododendron arboreum indicates that this shrub possesses some potential value that helps in the maintenance of blood cholesterol level.

Keywords: Rhododendron arboreum, Wistar albino rats, ground nut oil, serum cholesterol, triglycerides.