HDL-cholesterol increase in normolipaemic subjects on khellin: a pilot study.

An evaluation has been made of the action of khellin, a furochromone derivative from Ammi visnaga, at the dose of 50 mg q.i.d. during four weeks, on the plasma lipids of 20 non-obese normolipaemic male subjects after a placebo period of two weeks. The plasma lipids were measured each week and one week after discontinuation of treatment; 14 subjects were evaluable. Plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations remained unchanged throughout the study, whereas HDL-cholesterol levels were significantly increased from the first week until one week post-medication. A lowering of the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio was shown during the same period. No specific effect on plasma LCAT activity was obtained. Compliance, checked by the plasma khellin determination, was good. Some untoward effects were observed. Nausea and vomiting were responsible for the withdrawal of four volunteers, and elevation of SGOT and SGPT for that of two others. It can be concluded that khellin at this dosage induces an important shift of cholesterol to the HDL fraction which is maintained until one week post-medication.