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DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3400140
In vivo examination of anti-hyperlipidaemic effect of Stellaria media in rats
Publikationsverlauf
Publikationsdatum:
20. Dezember 2019 (online)
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.
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