Inhibitory effects of Tiliacora triandra (Colebr.) Diels on cholesterol absorption.

Background: Natural supplements and herbal medicines have been attracted to use for managing elevated cholesterol levels. Tiliacora triandra (Colebr.) Diels (TT) or Yanang (in Thai) is commonly used as an ingredient in various types of Thai foods. In this study, we investigated the effect of methanolic TT leaf extract on cholesterol absorption by measuring the uptake and the efflux of cholesterol and cholesterol micellar solubility. In addition, we tested the effect of TT leaf extract on pancreatic lipase activity. Methods: The uptake and efflux of cholesterol was determined by quantification of radioactivity in differentiated Caco-2 cells after treatment with radioactive cholesterol. Cholesterol mixed micelles were prepared for cholesterol uptake, efflux and solubility studies. The pancreatic lipase activity was determined using 4-methylumbelliferyl oleate as a substrate. Results: Our finding showed that TT extract decreased the uptake of cholesterol by approximately 48% but did not affect the efflux of cholesterol. TT inhibited pancreatic lipase activity with the IC 50 at 273.5 μg/mL and also decreased cholesterol micellar solubility. Conclusions: These findings suggest that TT leaf extract seems to be a potential candidate as cholesterol-lowering agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)