Abstract
Background In folk medicine, common chickweed (Stellaria media) has traditionally been applied for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia; however, there is no firm experimental proof to support the rationale of this practice. Therefore, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Stellaria media) has traditionally been applied for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia; however, there is no firm experimental proof to support the rationale of this practice. Therefore, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Materials and Methods. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups. The (i) control group received standard laboratory chow, the (ii) hypercholesterolemic group received cholesterol-enriched diet, and the (iii) chickweed-treated hypercholesterolemic group received cholesterol-enriched diet and 100 mg/kg body weight Stellaria media) has traditionally been applied for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia; however, there is no firm experimental proof to support the rationale of this practice. Therefore, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Results Cholesterol-enriched diet significantly increased serum total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol levels, but did not affect triacylglycerol concentrations. The addition of chickweed to the diet did not cause any significant change in serum lipid profile or body weight increase. Liver and kidney functions were unaltered and cardiac morphology and function were not changed due to Stellaria media) has traditionally been applied for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia; however, there is no firm experimental proof to support the rationale of this practice. Therefore, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Conclusion Although chickweed does not seem to be toxic, our results do not support the rationale of its use in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.
Highlights
In folk medicine, common chickweed (Stellaria media) has traditionally been applied for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia; there is no firm experimental proof to support the rationale of this practice. erefore, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Stellaria media tea in hypercholesterolemic rats
We have found in a pilot study that administration of 2 g/kg body weight cookie dough for 7 days in control rats did not cause significant changes in levels of blood cholesterol, triacylglycerol, or glucose. e dough was prepared once a week and kept at 4°C until use. e 100 mg/kg body weight dose of lyophilized Stellaria media tea was considered as equal to human daily dose, calculated according to Nair and Jacob [16]
Serum Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration was significantly higher in the HChol group, which was not affected by Stellaria media tea lyophilizate (Figure 2(c))
Summary
Common chickweed (Stellaria media) has traditionally been applied for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia; there is no firm experimental proof to support the rationale of this practice. erefore, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Stellaria media tea in hypercholesterolemic rats. Common chickweed (Stellaria media) has traditionally been applied for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia; there is no firm experimental proof to support the rationale of this practice. Erefore, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Stellaria media tea in hypercholesterolemic rats. Blood samples were collected to determine serum lipid profile as well as liver and kidney function, and echocardiography was performed to assess cardiac morphology and function. E addition of chickweed to the diet did not cause any significant change in serum lipid profile or body weight increase. Liver and kidney functions were unaltered and cardiac morphology and function were not changed due to Stellaria media tea lyophilizate. Chickweed does not seem to be toxic, our results do not support the rationale of its use in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia
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