Raised serum cholesterol; evaluation of hypocholesterolemic effect of green tea [Camillia sinensis]

ABSTRACT

Hypercholestrolemia has a strong association with Atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease [CAD]. It is a major worldwide health problem and the incidence is rising in Pakistan. Hypocholesterolemic effect of green tea [GT] has been proven in various research studies in the world. Present study aims to evaluate this effect in Pakistani population in the context of specific dietary and social habits prevailing here. The university of Lahore. Sixty subjects were included in the study comprising of thirty healthy subjects and thirty hypercholesterolemic individuals who were not taking any medication to control their serum cholesterol. They were all given GT in a dose of 3 gm twice daily for sixty days. Serum cholesterol levels were estimated at day 1 and then every 2nd week till the 60th day. Significant lowering of serum cholesterol was observed [p<0.001] in hypercholesterolemic individuals after 60 days. There were no side effects reported of GT intake. Our results suggest that GT can safely reduce the raised serum cholesterol level in Pakistani population