EFFECTS OF OIL OF PIPER LONGUM UNSAPONIFIABLE MATTER ON CHOLESTEROL METABOLISM IN EXPERIMENTAL HYPERCHO-LESTEROLEMIC MICE / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Exogenous hypercholesterolemia in mice was induced by feeding with diets containing 2% cholesterol. It was found that Oil of Piper Longum Unsaponifiable Matter ( OPUM ) at 40mg/kg?d-1 ig for 20d could reduce the levels of total cholesterol (TC). ( LDL + VLDL) - c and the hepatic cholesterol content, increase that of biliary cholesterol in exogenous hypercholesterolemic mice. The hypocholesterolemic effect of OPUM is in a dose-dependent manner over the range of 20~40mg/kg. OPUM at 40mg/kg ig could elevate Lecithin - Cholesterol Acyltransferase ( LCAT ) activity inhibited by treating with ip of yolk. It was suggested that the hypochole-sterol effect of OPUM could be concerned with protectiong cholesterol esterification and be of great advantage to protection from arteriosclerosis arteriosclerosis in mice.