Abstract
The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Phytosterol on serum lipids of CH-fed rats. Derivatives of Phytosterol ferulic acid ester was administered to experimentally hypercholesterolemic rats and its effects on serum lipids levels were studied. We compared the solubilities of Ch and Cyclobranol in mixed micellar solutions consisting of taurocholate and oleate.
Results were follows:
1) Cyclobranol and Cycloartenol lowered TC level significantly, but 24-methylene cycloartanol did not.
2) Cyclobranol ferulic acid ester had more potent TC-lowering effect and HDL-C-increasing effect than Cyclobranol.
3) Cyclobranol and Cyclobranol ferulic acid ester markedly lowered TC level in a dose-dependent manner.
4) Cyclobranol ferulic acid ester had the most potent hypocholesterolaemic activity in this series. A study of the chemical structure of the various phenolic acids suggests that the hypocholesterolaemic action may be due to the hydroxyl (para) and propionyl groups, present together in the molecule. Each group per se had little effect. An orthomethyl group in the benzene ring appears to potentiate hypocholesterolaemic activity. Salicylic acid ester improved A. I.
5) Cyclobranol linolic acid ester suppressed serum lipid peroxidation and improved A. I. significantly.
6) The addition of Cyclobranol to the mixed micellar solutions reduced Ch-solubility. On the other hand Cyclobranol ferulic acid ester did not affect. These results suggest that Phytosterols have TC lowering effect partly by reducing the solubility of Ch and inhibiting the absorption of Ch.
