International Journal of Herbal Medicine
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P-ISSN: 2394-0514, E-ISSN: 2321-2187   |   
International Journal of Herbal Medicine
Vol. 5, Issue 1, Part A (2017)

Antilipidemic activity of arecanut, Areca catechu L.: A valuable herbal medicine

Author(s): Sarpangala Keshava Bhat, Mythri Sarpangala and Devasya Ashwin
Abstract: Antilipidemic activity of several plants is well documented. The arecanut palm, Areca catechu L. which is grown mainly in several South and Southeast Asian countries is a valuable herbal medicine with lots of pharmacological properties. The nuts of this palm are popularly chewed along with several other ingredients, including the leaves or inflorescence of Piper betle, slaked lime, tobacco, etc. The extracts of both nuts and leaves of areca palm are reported to decrease the level of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride by inhibiting their absorption in small intestine. It was reported that arecanut extract was antilipidemic at a dose of 100mg/kg or more. The unsaturated fatty acid such as linoleic acid of arecanut might be responsible for reducing cholesterol level as the cholesterol lowering effect of linoleic acid is already established in human conditions. The nut of this plant is also reported to maintain healthy fat metabolism and reduce the conversion of carbohydrates into fats, thereby decrease the body weight. On the other hand, chewing of betel quid which contain several other ingredients such as betel leaf or inflorescence, slaked lime, catechu, other condiments and even tobacco, is reported to increase cholesterol and obesity in human being. It might be the synergistic activities of all these ingredients which contributed for the elevation of cholesterol. Detailed studies on these lines are warranted before coming to any solid conclusion.
Pages: 35-38  |  3019 Views  841 Downloads


International Journal of Herbal Medicine
How to cite this article:
Sarpangala Keshava Bhat, Mythri Sarpangala, Devasya Ashwin. Antilipidemic activity of arecanut, Areca catechu L.: A valuable herbal medicine. Int J Herb Med 2017;5(1):35-38.

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