Hypolipidaemic Effects of Momordica charantia Fruit Extract on Rabbits

Background: The major clinical sequelae of hyperlipidaemia is atherosclerosis, which is the leading cause of death worldwide. It has been estimated that up to one-third of the patients of cardiovascular disease with obesity use some form of complementary and alternative medicine. Momordica charantia (MC) is known for its hypoglycaemic effect, but its effect on the lipid profile in rabbits fed on high-fat diet (HFD) has not been examined completely. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract obtained from the fruit of MC on the lipid profile in normal as well as experimentally induced hyperlipidaemia in rabbits. Material and Methods: Albino rabbits (1.5–2.5 kg) of either sex were divided into four groups with six animals in each group. Group I received the standard chow diet; group II received aqueous MC fruit extract (100 mg/kg, p.o.); group III rabbits received HFD; and group IV rabbits received HFD supplemented with aqueous MC fruit extract (100 mg/kg). After 14 weeks of experimental period, the animals were fasted overnight and the blood was taken for estimation of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and atherogenic indices were also calculated. The results (mean ± SEM (standard error of mean)) were analysed statistically using Student's ‘t’-test (unpaired). Result: An increase in the TG and TC concentrations was observed in the rabbits maintained on HFD. Administration of aqueous MC fruit extract significantly lowered the serum levels of TC and TG in group II as well as group IV rabbits. However, in the group IV rabbits, MC supplementation led to increase in the levels of HDL-C. Conclusion: Administration of aqueous MC fruit extract produces hypolipidaemic effect in normal as well as in hyperlipidaemic rabbits.