Male albino rats were fed on a mixture of cholesterol and cholic acid for 12 weeks to induce hypercholesterolemia, then Karkade was administered at 5 and 10% for 9 weeks to evaluate its hypocholesterolemic and hypolipemic effect. The experimental parameters include total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids. Liver and kidney functions were also investigated in normal, hypo- and hypercholesterolemic rats administered Karkade. A remarkable progress (lowering effect) in the level of different lipid fractions was noticed in spite of the continued cholesterol and cholic acid loading during the treatment. However, blood phospholipids were increased after Karkade administration. Hypercholesterolemia has resulted in an effect on the activity of liver and kidney functions. Therefore, the measurement of serum enzyme activity has provided a useful tool for hepatic recovery. Although the administration of Karkade at 5 and 10% induced a significant decrease in the activity of serum GOT and serum GPT, alkaline and acid phosphatase as well as total serum protein, the values nearly returned to the initial levels after 9 weeks of Karkade administration.

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The hypocholesterolaemic effect of Cassia fistula was investigated using hypercholesterolaemic male albino rats. Hypercholesterolaemia was induced by feeding on a mixture of cholesterol plus cholic acid for a 12 weeks period. Hypercholesterolaemia was characterized by significant increase in the average levels of total lipids, total cholesterol, and triglycerides and significant decrease in phospholipids content. Administration of Cassia fistula significantly reduced blood and liver total lipids. Brain, spleen, kidneys and heart followed nearly the same trend but with moderate effect. Blood, liver, kidneys, spleen and heart total cholesterol was significantly reduced, while that of brain was not affected. The level of triglycerides was markedly improved. There was a moderate rise, however, in phospholipids content in all studied organs. That is to say a marked progress in the correction of lipid metabolism occurred. Also, administration of Cassia fistula induced a significant decrease in the high activities of serum GOT, GPT, alkaline and acid phosphatase and the values nearly returned the initial values. Total serum protein, albumin (A), globulin (G), A/G, free amino acids, uric acid and creatinine were also determined and their values were improved and attained nearly the normal values of the control group.

The biochemical activity of licorice roots was investigated by administrating it to hypercholesterolaemic rats at two different doses. High cholesterol level in the serum and most organs of hypercholesterolaemic rats was accompanied by high levels of triglycerides and total lipids but low one of phospholipids. The hypocholesterolaemic action of licorice roots was accompanied by hypolipaemic action but higher level of phospholipids in the rat serum and most organs. The results showed that while the high cholesterol level in the rat serum has impairing effects on liver and renal functions, the licorice administered to these rats has a counteracting action i.e. it can improve the impaired function of both liver and p4f1ey, It has also a hypoglycaemic action.

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