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Hypolipidemic activity of aqueous extract of Capparis spinosa L. in normal and diabetic rats.

Eddouks M, Lemhadri A, Michel JB

UFR PNPE, B.P. 21, Boutalamine, Errachidia 52000, Morocco. m.eddouks@caramail.com

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of single and repeated oral administrations of the aqueous extract of Capparis spinosa L. (CS) at a dose of 20mg/kg on lipid metabolism in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In normal rats, the aqueous extract of CS induced a significant decrease on plasma triglycerides concentrations 1 week (p<0.05) and 2 weeks (p<0.01) after once daily repeated oral administration. A significant decrease of plasma cholesterol levels was also observed 4 days (p<0.05) and 1 week (p<0.05) after repeated oral administration. In diabetic rats, CS treatment caused a significant decrease of plasma triglycerides levels after repeated oral administration. Four days after repeated oral administration of aqueous CS extract, the plasma cholesterol levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05) and still dropped after 2 weeks (p<0.01). On the other hand, the repeated oral administration of CS aqueous extract caused a significant decrease of body weight 4 days after repeated oral treatment in diabetic rats (p<0.05). We conclude that the aqueous extract of CS (20 mg/kg) exhibits a potent lipid lowering activity in both normal and severe hyperglycemic rats after repeated oral administration of CS aqueous extract.

Published 7 April 2005 in J Ethnopharmacol, 98(3): 345-50.
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