HYPOLIPIDAEMIC EFFECTS OF MEDICAGO SATIVA SEED EXTRACTS (50% EtOH) IN RABBITS UNDER EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS

Increased serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were reduced by 38 - 41.7% and 48 - 53.3% respectively when fed with alfalfa seed extract from the beginning or in established hyperlipidaemic model. LDL-cholesterol lowering was maximum (64.4%) in a model fed with alfalfa meals without cholesterol. An increase in HDL- cholesterol total cholesterol is suggestive of beneficial role since it is associated with low incidence of atherosclerosis. Possible mechanism of lipid lowering activity of Medicago sativa seed extract is worked out.