Effect of Garcinia cambogia extract on lipids and lipoprotein composition in dexamethasone administered rats

Dexamethasone (10 mg/kg body weight/day, s.c.) administered rats were treated with or without Garcinia cambogia fruit extract (1 g/kg body weight/day, orally) for 8 days. The administration of dexamethasone resulted in marked increase in the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol and free acids in both plasma and liver. The level of phospholipids increased in the plasma but decreased significantly in liver tissue after dexamethasone administration as compared to those in normal rats. The activities of lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase and hepatic lipoprotein lipase were lowered significantly after dexamethasone per se administration. The levels of HDL-triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol remained unchanged, while the LDL and VLDL increased significantly in dexamethasone administered rats. The lipid levels were maintained at near normalcy when co-treated with Garcinia cambogia extract in dexamethasone administered rats. This study reveals the undesirable changes in lipid profile on dexamethasone administration and the hypolipidemic property of Garcinia cambogia extract.