Antihypercholesterolaemic influence of dietary tender cluster beans (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) in cholesterol fed rats.

Background & objectives: Cluster beans (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) are rich source of soluble fibre content and are known for their cholesterol lowering effect. The beneficial anti-hypercholesterolaemic effect of whole dietary cluster beans as a source of dietary fibre was evaluated in high cholesterol diet induced hypercholesterolaemia in experimental rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats (90-95 g) divided in six groups of 10 rats each were used. Freeze dried tender cluster beans were included at 12.5 and 25 per cent levels in the diet of animals maintained for 8 wk either on high (0.5%) cholesterol diet or basal control diet. Results: Significant anti-hypercholesterolaemic effect was seen in cluster bean fed animals, the decrease in serum cholesterol being particularly in the LDL associated fraction. There was also a beneficial increase in HDL associated cholesterol fraction. Hepatic lipid profile showed a significant decrease in both cholesterol and triglycerides as a result of feeding tender cluster beans along with high cholesterol diet. Interpretation & Conclusions: The present experimental results showed the beneficial hypocholesterolaemic and hypolipidimic influences dietary tender cluster beans in atherogenic situation. Studies in human need to be done to confirm the results.

Effect of orally administered betel leaf (Piper betle Linn.) on digestive enzymes of pancreas and intestinal mucosa and on bile production in rats.

The influence of two varieties of betel leaf (Piper betle Linn.) namely, the pungent Mysore and non-pungent Ambadi, was examined on digestive enzymes of pancreas and intestinal mucosa and on bile secretion in experimental rats. The betel leaves were administered orally at two doses which were either comparable to human consumption level or 5 times this. The results indicated that while these betel leaves do not influence bile secretion and composition, they have a significant stimulatory influence on pancreatic lipase activity. Besides, the Ambadi variety of betel leaf has a positive stimulatory influence on intestinal digestive enzymes, especially lipase, amylase and disaccharidases. A slight lowering in the activity of these intestinal enzymes was seen when Mysore variety of betel leaf was administered, and this variety also had a negative effect on pancreatic amylase. Further, both the betel leaf varieties have shown decreasing influence on pancreatic trypsin and chymotrypsin activities.