Hypocholesterolemic effect of khellin and methoxsalen in male albino rats

Khellin (CAS 82-02-0) and methoxsalen (CAS 298-81-7) were examined in male albino rats to evaluate their ability to modify serum lipoprotein cholesterol. Clinical chemistry parameters were also measured to obtain information indicative of possible drug toxicity. The drugs were evaluated in four-week double dose studies. After four weeks at 0.45 mg/100 mg b.wt. for khellin and 0.27 mg/100 g b.wt. for methoxsalen, per day, both drugs significantly lowered low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol. Very low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were not changed. No apparent toxicity was observed as clinical chemistry parameters and body weights were not different compared to control values. Similar results were observed with a lower dose of khellin (0.23 mg/100 g b.wt./d). A dose of 0.13 mg/100 g b.wt./d of methoxsalen had no observable effect in this study. Confirmation of the hypocholesterolemic activity of khellin and methoxsalen in this study enhances the therapeutic potential of these compounds against atherosclerosis.