Abstract:
This study was conducted to assess some bioactivities of Gymnema lactiferum var. lactiferum and
hypocholesterolaemic effects of Canthium coromandelicum leaf and palmyrah pinnatu. G.
lactiferum leaf showed significant hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolaemic effects on a rat model
and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Canthium coromandelicum leaf on Wistar rats showed a
significant decline in serum total cholesterol levels. Isolated pectin from the leaf could maintain the
decline further. High molecular weight pectin appears to be responsible for the
hypocholesterolaemic effect. Pinnatu did not show any hypocholesterolaemic effect on Wistar rats.
It is proposed that the hypocholesterolaemic effect of fresh palmyrah fruit pulp is due to still
unknown factors that are destroyed in the pinnatu manufacturing process. Pectin appears not to be a
major factor.
