2005 Volume 51 Issue 6 Pages 413-418
The effects of amla on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and cholesterol levels were investigated in vitro and in vivo using C2+-induced LDL oxidation and choles terol-fed rats. SunAmla and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of amla significantly inhibited thiobarbituric acid (TBA)-reactive substance level in the Cu2+-induced LDL oxidation and the effects were stronger than those of probucol. In addition, the administration of SunAmla (at a dose of 20 or 40mg/kg body weight/d) or EtOAc extract of amla (at a dose of 10 or 20mg/kg body weight/d) for 20 d to rats fed 1% cholesterol diet significantly reduced total, free and LDL-cholesterol levels in a dose-dependent manner, and EtOAc extract of amla exhibited more potent serum cholesterol-lowering effect than SunAmla in the same amount. Furthermore, the oxidized LDL level in serum was markedly elevated in choles terol-fed control rats as compared with normal rats, while it was significantly decreased by the administration of SunAmla or EtOAc extract of amla, Moreover, the serum TBA-reactive substance level was also significantly decreased after oral administration of SunAmla or EtOAc extract of amla. These results suggest that amla may be effective for hypercholester olemia and prevention of atherosclerosis.