Purpose: To prepare and characterize a formulation containing an ethanol extract of
Camellia ptilophylla
leaves (cocoa tea), with a focus on antihyperlipidemic and anti-obesity activities.
Methods: An
aloe vera
–based formulation of an ethanol extract of cocoa tea (C. ptilophylla) was
prepared. The formulation was given orally at 400 mg/kg daily to obese (high-fat diet–induced) mice for
1 month, and body weight as well as total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol,
and VLDL cholesterol levels were determined and compared with those of control and standard groups
(the latter mice received atorvastatin at 400 mg/kg daily).
Results: At the end of treatment, the standard group exhibited 64.65 % reduction in body weight gain
and the test group exhibited 48.87 % reduction, compared with control. The group that received the
formulation had significantly lower levels of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol,
and a higher level of HDL cholesterol.
Conclusion: The formulation of an ethanolic extract of cocoa tea leaves seems to exert
antihyperlipidemic and anti-obesity activities comparable to those of a modern lipid-lowering agent
(atorvastatin) in mice. Thus, this natural remedy has the potential to prevent or delay hyperlipidemia and
the cardiovascular complications associated with diet-induced obesity.
