A rabbit model for studying hypocholesterolemic effect of drugs and hypocholesterolemic effect of extracts of garlic (Allium sativum).

An experimental model of hypercholesterolemic rabbits suitable for studying the hypocholesterolemic effect of compounds was developed. Rabbits were made hypercholesterolemic by oral administration of cholesterol (100mg/kg body weight/day) suspended in groud nut oil by gastric intubation (Ryle's tube). Cholesterol can be given to rabbits from 10 days to 6 months depending on the degree of hypercholesterolemia required and duration of study of hypocholesterolemic effect. In one month cholesterol feeding experiment, the serum cholesterol level in normal controls (not given cholesterol) was 67±11.3 mg/dl and in cholesterol fed animals 191.3±70.6 mg/dl. In 2 months experiment, besides hypercholesterolemia, abnormal serum lipid profile and increase in lipid content in liver, heart and aorta were also seen. To such animals when water and methanol extracts of garlic were given along with cholesterol, there was significant decrease in serum cholesterol level. The advantage of this method over the method in which cholesterol is mixed with diet to induce hypercholesterolemia is that exactly same and calculated amount of cholesterol can be given for each animal. This minimises the variations in serum cholesterol levels in different animals.