Abstract:
Canthium coromandelicum (Sinhala-Kara) leaf is consumed in the form of
a 'Sambal' and 'Malluma' mixed with coconut. It shows a
hypocholesterolaemic effect on Wistar rats which is due to high molecular
weight pectin (up to 2 million Daltons) as determined by Sepharose (2B) gel
chromatography and present in a content of 1.8-3.4% on dry weight. Together
with its mild hypoglycaemic effect reported previously its hypocholesterolaemic
effect is now hypothesized to be due to the effect of high molecular weight
pectin. It is postulated that the leaf would make a good functional food.
