EFFECTS OF CHITOSAN AND SALVADORA PERSICA ON BLOOD LIPIDS IN THE WISTAR RAT

SUMMARY: Hypercholesterolemia is a metabolic disorder that ultimately results in arterial sclerosis and complications like hypertension and coronary arterial diseases. Various drugs have been used for treatment of this condition and many studies are underway to be used in the future. Chitosan and Salvadora Persica are two such drugs. Chitosan is produced by deacetylation of chitin which is present mainly in the exoskeleton of crustaceans. The aim of this in vitro study was to study the effects of these two drugs on blood lipid levels. In this Interventional Laboratory Trial, 30 mature vistar rats weighing 200-250 grams were selected and after a period of two weeks of adaptation to the surroundings, they were allotted randomly to 6 groups. The rats were then fed for a period of 15 days with normal or fatty diet, with or without the drugs. Chitosan in pure powder form and persica in the form of hydro alcoholic, Salvadora persica stem extract were added to the diet of the respective study groups. At the end of this period, blood samples were taken in order to measure cholesterol, triglyceride, and HDL and LDL levels. Data were analyzed statistically using SPSS software program and Scheffe, ANOVA and Descriptive statistical tests. Both chitosan and persica decreased cholesterol and LDL levels in the groups ingesting fatty diet (P 0.05) and the mean reduction was not statistically different for the two drugs (P 0.05). The two drugs had no effect on triglyceride and HDL levels (P 0.05). Both chitosan and persica had no effect on blood lipid levels of subjects on normal diet whose cholesterol levels were normal (P 0.05). Persica and chitosan have similar effects on reduction of cholesterol and LDL levels in cases of hypercholesterolemia, but have no effect on triglyceride and HDL levels.