Hypocholesterolemic property of Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria extracts in human body

Arch Pharm Res. 2003 Dec;26(12):1042-6. doi: 10.1007/BF02994756.

Abstract

This study was undertaken to observe the effects of the blend of partially purified Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria extracts on cholesterol levels in the human's blood and gastrointestinal functions, and to determine if a new cholesterol-lowering drug can be developed by the further purification of the extracts. Ultrafiltration and sequential diafiltration increased the amounts of steroidal saponin in aqueous yucca extract and terpenoid saponin in aqueous quillaja extract from 9.3% and 21.4% to 17.2% and 61.8%, respectively. Taking 0.9 mg of the blend (6:4, v:v) of the resulting filtrates a day for 4 weeks resulted in the decreases in total and LDL cholesterol levels in blood plasma of hyper-cholesterolemic patients with enhancement in gastrointestinal symptoms of patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anticholesteremic Agents / adverse effects
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Combinations
  • Gastrointestinal Motility / drug effects
  • Gastrointestinal Motility / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / blood
  • Hypercholesterolemia / drug therapy*
  • Hypercholesterolemia / physiopathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Phytotherapy / methods
  • Plant Bark
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*
  • Quillaja*
  • Yucca*

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Drug Combinations
  • Cholesterol