title: A comparative study on hypocholesterolaemic effect of allicin, whole germinated seeds of bengal gram and guggulipid of gum gugglu.
abstract: The daily use of allicin and whole germinated bengal gram seeds for 8 weeks led to a significant decrease in serum cholesterol levels in normal volunteers with no side effects. The standard reference, guggulipid therapy, significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the mean serum cholesterol level to 142.88 +/- 24.14 mg/100 mL from an initial status of 211.91 +/- 6.23 mg/100mL (32.36% +/- 12.48% fall). Allicin treatment significantly reduced the mean serum cholesterol level to 129.99 +/- 2.79 mg/100 mL from a pre-treatment value of 148.10 +/- 8. 81 mg/100mL, a fall of 13.36% +/- 4.64%. The serum cholesterol value was reduced to 135.62+/- 22.85 mg/100 mL from a pre-treatment value of 157.29 +/- 4.94 mg/100mL (17.15% +/- 9.94% fall) due to daily use of whole germinated bengal gram seeds. Hence the hypocholesterolaemic effects of allicin and whole germinated bengal gram seeds are comparable to the established standard reference, guggulipid. These two materials are herbal in origin and it is supposed to have a lesser risk-benefit ratio compared with other available synthetic drugs. The inclusion of these herbal products in the normal diet may be an alternative effective measure for hypercholesterolaemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Jadavpur University, Calcutta - 700032, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghorai
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Mandal
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Saha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D004220:Disulfides; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012016:Reference Values; D012639:Seeds; D013441:Sulfinic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D004220:Disulfides; D013441:Sulfinic Acids; C006452:allicin; D002784:Cholesterol