Hypolipidemic effect of Glycine tomentella root extract in hamsters.

The influence of the aqueous crude extract of Glycine tomentella root (Leguminosae) on lipid metabolism was investigated in hyperlipidemic hamsters. It was found that the administration of the G. tomentella extract (GTE) leads to a decrease of high serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels induced by high-fat diet. The GTE also increased serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and decreased serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The reduction of serum triglyceride levels was accompanied by a significant decrease in the hepatic triglyceride content, while the cholesterol content was not changed. The results indicate that GTE is definitely an anti-hyperlipidemic agent, at least, in animals.