Lipid-lowering action of pectin from Cucumis sativus

The oral administration of the pectin extracted from the fruit of Cucumis sativus at a dose of 5 g kg−1 body weight day−1 showed significant hypolipidemic action in normal as well as cholesterol-fed experimental animals. Concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and free fatty acids were found to be significantly reduced in the serum and tissues of experimental animals. Activity of HMG CoA reductase was found to be enhanced. Pectin administration decreased the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase while it increased the activities of lipoprotein lipase and plasma LCAT. Incorporation of labelled 14C acetate into free cholesterol was significantly higher in the liver of pectin-treated rats. Concentrations of bile acids (hepatic and fecal) and fecal neutral sterols showed significant increases in the pectin-administered groups.