Planta Med 2019; 85(18): 1565
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3400140
Main Congress Poster
Poster Session 2
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

In vivo examination of anti-hyperlipidaemic effect of Stellaria media in rats

V Demján
1   University of Szeged, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Metabolic Diseases and Cell Signaling Group (MEDICS),, 6720 Szeged, Dóm tér 9, Hungary
2   University of Szeged, Interdisciplinary Centre for Natural Products,, 6720 Szeged, Eötvös utca 6, Hungary
3   University of Szeged, Interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence,, 6720 Szeged, Dugonics tér 13, Hungary
,
T Kiss
2   University of Szeged, Interdisciplinary Centre for Natural Products,, 6720 Szeged, Eötvös utca 6, Hungary
4   aculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged,, 6720 Szeged, Eötvös utca 6, Hungary
,
A Siska
5   Faculty of Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Szeged,, 6725 Szeged, Semmelweis utca 6, Hungary
,
MR Szabó
1   University of Szeged, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Metabolic Diseases and Cell Signaling Group (MEDICS),, 6720 Szeged, Dóm tér 9, Hungary
2   University of Szeged, Interdisciplinary Centre for Natural Products,, 6720 Szeged, Eötvös utca 6, Hungary
3   University of Szeged, Interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence,, 6720 Szeged, Dugonics tér 13, Hungary
,
M Sárközy
1   University of Szeged, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Metabolic Diseases and Cell Signaling Group (MEDICS),, 6720 Szeged, Dóm tér 9, Hungary
2   University of Szeged, Interdisciplinary Centre for Natural Products,, 6720 Szeged, Eötvös utca 6, Hungary
3   University of Szeged, Interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence,, 6720 Szeged, Dugonics tér 13, Hungary
,
I Földesi
5   Faculty of Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Szeged,, 6725 Szeged, Semmelweis utca 6, Hungary
,
D Csupor
2   University of Szeged, Interdisciplinary Centre for Natural Products,, 6720 Szeged, Eötvös utca 6, Hungary
4   aculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged,, 6720 Szeged, Eötvös utca 6, Hungary
,
T Csont
1   University of Szeged, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Metabolic Diseases and Cell Signaling Group (MEDICS),, 6720 Szeged, Dóm tér 9, Hungary
2   University of Szeged, Interdisciplinary Centre for Natural Products,, 6720 Szeged, Eötvös utca 6, Hungary
3   University of Szeged, Interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence,, 6720 Szeged, Dugonics tér 13, Hungary
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
20 December 2019 (online)

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Stellaria media has traditionally been applied as medicinal plant in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Since there are no firm experimental proof to support the rationale of this practice, we aimed to assess the in vivo effect and safety of Stellaria media tea in hypercholesterolemic rats.

Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups. Beside control group, who received standard laboratory chow, the hypercholesterolemic group received cholesterol-enriched diet, and the chickweed-treated hypercholesterolemic group received cholesterol-enriched diet and 100 mg/kg Stellaria media tea lyophilizate for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected to determine liver and kidney function and serum lipid profile, and echocardiography was performed to assess cardiac morphology and function.

The serum total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol levels were significantly elevated, but no change were observed in triacylglycerol concentrations in group receiving cholesterol-enriched diet. The treatment with chickweed did not cause any significant change in serum lipid profile or in body weight increase. Moreover, liver and kidney functions were unaltered, cardiac morphology and function were not changed due to Stellaria media tea lyophilizate.

Although chickweed does not seem to be toxic when consumed as tea, our results do not support the rationale for its use in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.