Antihypercholesterolemic Effect of Gynura Procumbens Lour. (Sabuñgai) on Propylthiouracil-Induced Cholesterol Male Oryctolagus Cuniculus Linn. (Rabbits)

Gynura procumbens Lour. commonly known as Sabuñgai is an evergreen shrub indigenous plant in the Philippines. It has a long tradition of medicinal uses for diabetes and hypertension. The present study investigated the antihypercholesterolemic effect of Gynura procumbens Lour. (Sabuñgai) fresh leaves extract on Propylthiouracil-induced Oryctolagus cuniculus Linn. (Rabbits). Nine male rabbits were randomly assigned to groups (Control, Positive control, and Experimental groups). The test animals were induced to the hypercholesterolemic state by administering Propylthiouracil (63.9mg) for three weeks. The groups received the following treatments: Control group (No treatment), Positive Group (Atorvastatin 7.92mg), Experimental Group (Sabuñgai 475mg). The fasting serum cholesterol level (High-Density Lipoprotein and Low-Density Lipoprotein) was determined before induction, after induction, and after treatment and the data were subjected to statistical analysis. The result showed that there was a significant difference in the mean serum High-Density Lipoproteins between the control group and experimental group. The effect of the Sabuñgai leaf extracts in increasing High-Density Lipoprotein levels in rabbits is comparable to the effect of Atorvastatin. Therefore, it possesses antihypercholesterolemic properties. While in mean serum Low-Density Lipoprotein, both the control and positive groups showed a significant difference with the experimental group.

 

Keywords: Gynura procumbens Lour., sabuñgai, propylthiouracil, atorvastatin, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein