Hypolipidaemic and Antiatherosclerotic Effects ofZingiber officinale in Cholesterol Fed Rabbits

Abstract

Hyperlipidaemic rabbits when challenged with a 50% EtOH extract of Zingiber officinale showed a reduction in total cholesterol and serum LDL-cholesterol. A reduction in HDL ratio was seen in atherofed rabbits compared with controls which were restored when challenged with the Zingiber extract. An atherogenic index of 4.7 was brought down to 1.2 using plant products. The tissue lipid profiles of liver, heart and aorta showed similar changes to those noticed in serum lipids. Zingiber extract feeding increased the faecal excretion of cholesterol thus suggesting a modulation of absorption.