Anti-atherogenic effects of morelloflavone from Garcinia dulcis leaves in cholesterol fed rabbits

A biflavonoid, morelloflavone isolated from leaves of Garcinia dulcis Kurz was investigated for its ability to reduce plasma lipids and prevent progression of atherosclerotic lesions in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Male rabbits were divided into 6 groups. Group 1 received a regular diet, Group 2 received a regular diet with 0.02% (w/w) of G. dulcis derived morelloflavone, Group 3 was fed a diet containing 1% (w/ w) cholesterol to induce hypercholesterolemia, and Group 4 to Group 6 had their 1% cholesterol diets supplemented with morelloflavone at concentrations of 0.005%, 0.01% and 0.02%, respectively. During a 4 month-experimental period, rabbits were monitored for their body weights and plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels monthly and the extent of aortic atherosclerotic lesions were analysed at the end of the period. The levels of plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and TBARS as well as intimal thickening within aortas were increased in all animals fed with cholesterol diets. Such increases, however, were reduced in the presence of morelloflavone. The concentrations of morelloflavone that showed inhibitory effects in all cases were 0.005% and 0.0 1%, whereas the 0.02% dosage was ineffective.