COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING EFFECT OF ARECA CATECHU AND CHOLESTYRAMINE IN MALE RABBITS

Pharmacology Thesis

This study at hand intends to compare the ability of Areca catechu and Cholestyramine, a bile acid binding resin, in lowering serum cholesterol levels in 10 male rabbits. An experimental research design, of ten male rabbits weighing between 400 - 1200 grams as subjects, was used. Theyy were subdivided into two groups with five rabbits each. Designated as Groups A and B, were provided with Areca catechu and Cholestyramine as hypocholesterolemic agents, respectively. To induce the hypercholesterolemic state on both groups, they were force fed with a staple diet of egg yolk. The quantity of egg yolk given was based primarily on the specific weight of each of the rabbits. Areca catechu in the form of a suspension, the Cholestyramine in a solution and egg yolk were given twice daily with regular pellets and water in ad libitum. Extraction of blood was done on three separate occasions; first for the baseline, then for the high chlolesterol diet and finally for the high cholesterol diet with Areca catechu or Cholestyramine. With an interval of six days for each of the extractions. A T-test with a confidence value of 95% at a = 0.05 was used to test the hypothesis. The computed values of Areca catechu and Cholestyramine were t=1.46 and t=0.57 respectively. These values did not exceed the computed df of 4.303 which makes these values insignificant. Regarding which has more hypocholesterolemic effect, the researchers based the comparison on their mean difference. Areca catechu has a mean differences of d=55.33 while Cholestyramine has d=46. These values leads to our conclusions that there was no difference between Areca catechu and Cholestyramine in lowering serum cholesterol in male rabbits and Areca catechu has greater hypocholesterolemic effect than Cholestyramine eventhough the values are statistically insignificant.

Department of Pharmacology