Hypolipidemic Activity of Ginkgo biloba Extract, EGb 761 in Hypercholesterolemic Wistar Rats

Cardiovascular diseases are becoming an increasing problem worldwide. Hypercholesterolemia has been implicated in causation of coronary heart disease. Oxidation of low density lipoprotein has been shown to be prevented by standardized Ginkgo biloba extract, EGb 761. Studies on the effect of Ginkgo biloba on serum lipid levels are lacking. Hence the present study was carried out to study the effect of EGb 761 on serum lipids in female wistar rats. The hypolipidemic effect was compared with a standard dose of lovastatin. The rats were divided into six groups of ten animals each. The first group was the normal control. The second group was given cholesterol (400 mg/kg) for 30 days. The third, fourth and fifth groups were given cholesterol and EGb 761 in the doses of 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg respectively. The sixth group was given lovastatin (7.2 mg/kg) in addition to cholesterol. Serum cholesterol, triglycerides and high density lipoproteins were measured on days 0, 15 and 30. Serum levels on days 15 and 30 were compared using students paired t-test (p < 0.05). There was a significant decrease in serum cholesterol in both the lovastatin and the EGb 761 treated groups. EGb 761 did not produce a significant change in serum triglyceride and high density lipoprotein levels. The animal model used had limitations and further studies are required.

Keywords
Cardiovascular diseases, Ginkgo biloba extract, Hypolipidemic drugs, Serum Cholesterol