Glucose- lowering effect of polysaccharides in hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic mice / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the glucose-lowering effect of the polysaccharide fractions of .@*METHODS@#The crude polysaccharides of were chromatographed on DEAE cellulose column using H2O and 0.5 mol/L NaCl solution as the eluent and DEAE-water and DEAE-salt with high polysaccharide contents were collected. The two fractions were separated using Sephadex G-100 gel column to obtain 4 polysaccharide fractions TOPW-1, TOPW-2, TOPS-1, and TOPS-2. The anti-oxidation activity of the polysaccharide fractions was investigated with ABTS method. The fractions TOPW-1 and TOPS-1 with consistent UV detection signals were collected and HPGPC was used to determine their relative molecular mass. The monosaccharide composition in homogeneous TOPW-1 was determined by acid hydrolysis combined with HPLC. The inhibitory activities of TOPW-1 and TOPS-1 against DPP4, adipocyte glucose intake and lipase activity were tested to preliminarily assess their glucose-lowering effect. In a mouse model of hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic, the glucose-lowering effect of TOPS-1 (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 g/kg) and its effect on blood lipid metabolism were investigated in comparison with Xiaoke pills (5 pills/kg) and Danshen tablets (0.5 g/kg).@*RESULTS@#TOPW-1 was a homogeneous polysaccharide composed mainly of D-mannose, D-glucose, D-galactose, and D-fucose, with weak antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects. TOPS-1 was not a single polysaccharide and at the concentration of 500 μg/mL showed an high ABTS clearance rate (90.15%). In the mouse model of hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, treatment with TOPS-1 (0.2 g/kg) enhanced the activity of lipase and significantly reduced fasting glucose level and serum contents of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol without causing death in the mice. The glucose-lowering effects of TOPS-1 was not significant at the low (0.1 g/kg) or high (0.4 g/kg) dose, and a high dose tended to increase the mortality of the mice.@*CONCLUSIONS@# polysaccharides have anti-oxidation, glucose-lowering and lipid-lowering effects in mice, and their glucose-lowering effect is probably medicated by reducing oxidative stress and ameliorating lipid metabolism disorder.

Lipid-lowering effect of propolis in mice with Triton-WR1339-induced hyperlipidemia and its mechanism for regulating lipid metabolism / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the therapeutic effect of propolis against Triton-WR1339-induced hyperlipidemia in mice and explore the underlying mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 7 groups (=10), including the control group, hyperlipidemia model group, fenofibrate (30 mg/kg) treatment group, and 4 treatment groups treated with low- (30 mg/kg) or high-dose (60 mg/kg) propolis HB01 or HB02. In all but the control group, acute hyperlipidemia models were established by intramuscular injection of Triton WR-1339, and corresponding treatments were administered via gastric lavage for 7 days. After the treatments, blood samples were collected for testing the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), highdensity lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), alanine aminotransferase (GPT), and aspartate aminotransferase (GOT); Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of the proteins involved in lipid metabolism in the liver tissues including ABCA1, ABCG8, LDLR, and SR-B1.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control group, the mice with Triton-WR1339-induced hyperlipidemia showed significantly increased levels of TC, TG, LDL, MDA, GPT, and GOT and lowered HDL-C levels and SOD activity ( < 0.05). Treatments with fenofibrate and the 2 propolis at either low or high dose significantly reversed Triton-WR1339-induced changes in blood lipids ( < 0.05), and the effects of propolis were more potent. Triton-WR1339 injection also significantly decreased the expressions levels of ABCA1, ABCG8, LDLR, and SR-B1 in the liver ( < 0.05), and these changes were obviously reversed by treatments with fenofibrate and propolis ( < 0.05), especially by the latter.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The lipid-lowering effects of propolis are mediated by improving lipid metabolism and regulating the expressions of lipid transport proteins in the liver tissue.</p>

Research progress in anti-cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease activity of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium / 中草药

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium is a common Chinese materia medica, with extensive distribution, abundant resource, and high medicinal value. Epidemiologic studies showed that Citrus flavonoid intake can relieve the symptom of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have found that Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium and its composition were good to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, including hypolipidemic, anti-fatty liver, anti-thrombusis, anti-atherosclerosis, cardio-cerebral-vascular protection, and anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects closely related to the above. Evidence obtained from these studies indicates that Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium has the potential in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.

Evaluation of antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of ethanolic extract of Clerodendrum infortunatum Linn. in experimental animals.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common non-communicable disease of the modern world. The study of plants having antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activities may give a new approach in the treatment of DM. The study was intended to evaluate the antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of ethanolic extract of Clerodendrum infortunatum Linn. (EECL) in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced in albino rats by administration of alloxan monohydrate (160 mg/kg, intraperitoneal). Rats were divided into six groups of six animals each. First group served as non-diabetic control, second group as diabetic control, third group as standard and was treated with 0.1 mg/kg/day of glibenclamide. Group 4, 5, and 6 received 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of EECL. Blood samples were analyzed for blood glucose on day 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 and lipid profile on day 28. Results: The EECL showed a significant reduction (p<0.001) in blood glucose level and serum lipid profile levels with 400 mg/kg body weight in alloxan induced diabetic rats as compared with control. Conclusion: It is concluded that EECL is effective in controlling blood glucose levels and in improving lipid profile in diabetic rats.

Research progress on hypolipidemic constituents in Alismatis Rhizoma and their pharmacology and clinical application / 中草药

Alismatis Rhizoma, as a Chinese materia medica with multiple uses, has a long history of application in China. By retrieving the published literature of hypolipidemic effect, this review presents an overview of Alismatis Rhizoma, including chemistry, pharmacological mechanisms, clinical application, and safety evaluation. The protostane triterpenoids, as alisol A and alisol A 24-acetate, had hypolipidemic effects. Early preliminary clinical studies have shown that the Alismatis Rhizoma extraction may be a good hypolipidemic drug. Modern pharmacologic study found that it had anti-atherosclerotic effects. The reported safety evaluation results showed that the extraction was with low liver and kidney toxicity and might be suitable for long term use. We think it is worth to be developed a new drug.

Hypolipidemic Properties of Ethanol Extract of Cyperus rotundus Rhizome.

This study investigated the effect of ethanol extract of Cyperus rotundus rhizome on hyperlipidemia induced with carbimazole and cholesterol in male wister rats. Acute toxicity analysis with the Cyperus rotundus rhizome extract produced no letality even at higher doses. Hyperlipidemia was induced using 400 mg/kg cholesterol and 2 mg/kg carbimazole. The lipemic control group was administered cholesterol and carbimazole but not the normal control group. Cholesterol and carbimazole administration caused a significant (p = 0.05) increase in the Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride (TG), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), non-High Density Lipoprotein (non-HDL) Cholesterol and LDL/HDL ratio and a significant (p = .05) decrease in the levels of HDL cholesterol in the lipemic control when compared to the normal control. Treatment with ethanol extract of Cyperus rotundus at 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and the standard hypolipidemic drug (simvastatin) at 5mg/kg significantly (p = 0.05) reduced total cholesterol, TG, LDL, LDL/HDL ratio, total non-HDL Cholesterol and also significantly (p=.05) increased the level of HDL cholesterol when compared to the non-treatment group (the lipemic control group). Results of the present study indicate that Cyperus rotundus rhizome contains principles that have hypolipidemic potentials and which compare effectively with standard clinically used therapeutic Hypolipidemic agent, simvastatin.

Quantitative Phytochemical, Proximate Analysis and Hypolipidemic Effect of Garcinia Kola.

Aims: This study was aimed at evaluating the phytochemical and nutrient composition of G. kola seed. Also to examine the effect of G. kola seed on the serum lipid profile of fed rats. Study Design: Quantitative phytochemical, proximate analysis and in vivo effect on serum lipid profile. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia State, between June 2013 and September 2013. Methodology: The seeds were cut into small pieces, dried and ground into powder. The quantitative phytochemical and proximate nutrient analyses of the powdered sample were determined using standard methods. The lipid lowering effects of the powdered sample of G. kola determined in rats. The rats were fed with feed fortified with graded levels (5, 10, 20 and 50%) of powdered sample of G. kola for 21 consecutive days and the effects on total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were compared with a negative control. Results: The seed sample produced significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent decrease in the total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels in fed groups of rats when compared to the control group. The seed sample also, caused significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent increase in serum HDL-C level in fed groups of rats when compared to the control groups. The phytochemical analysis showed that the sample contained tannins (5.08%), flavonoids (0.93%), saponins (2.54%) and alkaloids (5.13%). The proximate analysis of the nutrient composition of powdered G. kola seed showed the presence of moisture, ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF), crude protein (CP), ash and nitrogen free extracts (NFE) in the following proportion 7.40, 1.48, 2.94, 3.19, 4.39 and 80.58%, respectively. Conclusion: The sample demonstrated good lipid lowering effects which may suggest that the consumption of G. kola seed may help in the reduction of the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in patients.

Hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects of Centella asiatica (L.) extract in vitro and in vivo.

In vitro study revealed that pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity of C. asiatica extract was significantly higher than rutin but lower than orlistat, an anti-obesity drug. α-Amylase inhibitory activities of C. asiatica extract and rutin were significantly lower than acarbose, an anti-diabetic drug. Inhibition of α-glucosidase activity by C. asiatica extract, rutin, and acarbose was not different. The in vivo study substantiated the in vitro results. C. asiatica extract (1000 and 2000 mg/4 mL/kg), rutin (1000 mg/4 mL/kg), and orlistat (45 mg/4 mL/kg) significantly decreased plasma glucose, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in lipid emulsion-induced hyperlipidemic rats at 3 h. However, plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels did not show significant change. The present work further supports that the C. asiatica extract and its bioactive rutin may help managing hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects.

Phytochemical, Nutrient Composition and Serum Lipid Lowering Effect of Xylopia aethiopica Fruit.

Aims: The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of Xylopia aethiopica on serum lipids in fed rats. Also the quantitative phytochemical and nutrient composition was investigated. Study Design: Quantitative phytochemical, proximate analysis and in vivo effect on serum lipid profile. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia State, between June 2013 and September 2013. Methodology: The fruit were cut into small piece, dried and ground into powder. The quantitative phytochemical and proximate nutrient analyses of the powder sample were determined using standard methods. The serum lipid lowering effects of the powdered fruit in rats was determined by feeding different groups of rats with graded levels (5, 10, 20 and 50%) of the powdered fruit incorporated in their feed for 21 consecutive days and the effects on the total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, and HDL-C were compared with a negative control. Results: The fruit sample produced significant (p<0.05) concentration-dependent decrease in the total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels and increase in serum HDL-C level in fed groups of rats when compared to the control group. The phytochemical analysis showed that the sample contained tannins (4.96%), flavonoids (0.81%), saponins (2.93%) and alkaloids (1.24%). The proximate analysis of the nutrient composition of powdered Xylopia aethiopica sample showed the presence of moisture, lipid, crude fibre, crude protein, ash and nitrogen free extracts in the following proportion 6.32, 12.54, 14.51, 0.91, 2.31 and 63.41% respectively. Conclusion: The fruit sample demonstrated good hypolipidemic effects which may suggest that the consumption of Xylopia aethiopica fruit may help in the reduction of the incidence of hyperlipidemia related diseases in patients.

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Symplocos racemosa Roxb. in hyperlipidemic rats: An evidence of participation of oxidative stress in hyperlipidemia.

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity profiles of ethanolic extracts of Symplocos racemosa (EESR) were studied by triton-WR1339 (acute) and high fat diet induced (chronic) hyperlipidemic rat models. In both the models, a significant increase in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL) and decrease in high density lipoproteins (HDL) in serum were observed. EESR (200 and 400 mg/kg) and simvastatin (10 mg/kg) administered orally reduced the elevated serum lipids (TC, TG, VLDL, LDL), restored the decreased HDL and improved the atherogenic index. In high fat diet induced hyperlipidemic model, EESR treatment prevented the increased formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver, restored the depleted liver antioxidants, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase significantly. The increased liver cholesterol, HMG-CoA reductase activity and body weight of hyperlipidemic rats were significantly reduced by EESR treatment. The EESR inhibited HMG-CoA reductase, a rate limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, thereby causing hypolipidemic effects. EESR treatment also improved histoarchitecture of hepatocytes in hyperlipidemic rats. Experimental findings demonstrated anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant activity of EESR, which may be directly or indirectly related to its antioxidant activity. The hypolipidemic activity of EESR may be due to the presence of flavonoids phenolic compounds, phenolic glycosides and steroids.

Antihyperlipidimic Effect of Simmondsia Chinensis Seeds Extracts in Rabbits.

Objective: The present study was designed to examine the effect of 70% ethanol extract of Simmondsia chinensis seeds on lipid profile in rabbits. Material and methods: The plant extract was orally administered to the atherogenic rabbits (atherogenic diet + cholesterol powder supplement at 400 mg/kg/body weight/ day dissolved in 5 mL coconut oil) at dose of 500mg/kg body weight/day. During the hall period of the experiment blood samples were collected and serum was analyzed for lipid profile. At the end of the experiment the animals were sacrificed; the heart and the liver were collected and stored at -20°C until assayed. Biochemical analysis of blood serum and tissue (liver and heart muscle) were performed for cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides. In addition blood serum was analyzed further for HDLcholesterol. Results: All the results were by administration of Simmondsia chinensis seeds. Serum cholesterol levels dropped from 957.57 to 223.3 and further to 143.4 by the end of the experiment. Similarly, phospholipids statistically analyzed using student’s t-test. Hypolipidaemic nature of Simmondsia chinensis extract was studied in hyperlipidaemic rabbits. The increased cholesterol levels were brought to normal and triglycerides levels were reduced. The tissues lipids profiles of liver and heart muscle showed similar changes in those noticed in serum lipids. Conclusion: We can conclude from these results that a Simmondsia chinensis seed possesses active hypolipidaemic constituents. The results suggest the validity of Simmondsia chinensis seeds clinical use in hypolipidaemic control, after their toxicological investigation.

In vivo Evaluation of Hypolipidemic Potentials of Bacillus Species Isolated from Fermented Locust Bean (Parkia fillicoides Welw) Seeds (Iru).

Aim: Iru is a popular West Africa fermented soup condiment which is also consumed without cooking as snack. This product is mainly fermented by Bacillus species. The hypolipidemic activities of Bacillus spp. isolated from iru have not been documented hence the aim of this study. Place and Duration of Study: Iru sample was bought in an open market in Iworoko-Ekiti, Nigeria and transferred to the Laboratory of the Department of Microbiology, Ekiti State University, Nigeria where other studies were carried out. The study was conducted between January and June, 2012. Methodology: The properties and in vivo hypolipidemic potential of Bacillus species from iru were investigated using standard microbiological and haematological methods. Results: The cell free extracts of the Bacillus spp. did not produce significant inhibition on the selected Gram positive and Gram negative pathogens. Qualitative enzyme screening of the isolates showed all were haemolysin negative. Only B. subtilis was positive to gelatinase while all the isolates produced catalase and lipase. The average weight of the animals after inducement of hyper-cholesterolemia ranged between 60.5g - 95.3g. The amount of serum total cholesterol (TC) in the animals ranged between 124.9 mg/dl – 127.4 mg/dl while that of serum triglycerides (TG), high density protein (HDL) and low density protein (LDL) were 122.5 – 155.3 mg/dl, 10.0 – 15.3 mg/dl and 76.6 – 81.0 mg/dl respectively. The weights of hyper-cholesterolemia induced rats challenged with different species of Bacillus were relatively lower than those in the control group and also differ significantly from the control, at p˂ 0.05. The values of TC, TG, and LDL were highest in the control (saline) group while the values in the treatment group ranged between 121.3 ± 1.5 and 102.3 ± 6.8 mg/dl for TC. The treatment groups recorded lower values of values for TG (104.7 ± 1.6 - 117.4 ± 9.1 mg/dl) and LDL (42.6 ±7.4 - 59.0 ± 10.2 mg/dl) compared to the control. B. subtilis had the highest values of TC but least amount of LDL. TG in all the groups was higher than TC, HDL and LDL. The TC/HDL and the LDL/HDL of the animals in the iru group was higher than the other treatment groups but lower than the control. Conclusion: Compared to the control, hypolipidemic activities of B. lichenliformis was the best followed by B. subtilis. Iru had the least hypo-cholesterolemic effect.

The hypolipidemic activity of Ayurvedic medicine, Arogyavardhini vati in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemic rats: A comparison with fenofi brate.

Background: Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor of coronary heart disease. Currently available hypolipidemic drugs have been associated with number of side effects. Arogyavardhini vati, an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation has been used for liver disorders. Therefore, present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Arogyavardhini vati in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in rats. Objectives: Anti-hyperlipidemic activity evaluation of Arogyavardhini vati against Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in rats. Materials and Methods: Overnight fasted male Wistar rats (150-200 g) were randomly divided into normal control group [4% Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO), i.p.], positive control group (Triton WR-1339 in 4% DMSO, 400 mg/kg, i.p.), standard drug treated (fenofi brate 65 mg/kg, p.o. for 7 days after inducing hyperlipidemia) and Arogyavardhini vati treated (50, 100, 200 mg/kg, p.o. for 7 days after inducing hyperlipidemia). Rat doses were calculated by extrapolating the equivalent human dose (therapeutic dose, sub-maximum, and maximum dose). Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein HDL, liver malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) levels were estimated at end of experiments. Results: Arogyavardhini vati signifi cantly decreased serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and C-reactive protein (CRP) and signifi cantly increased serum HDL in a dose-dependent manner. Decreased MDA and increased GSH levels in liver were observed at all doses of Arogyavardhini vati (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) and fenofi brate-treated groups when compared with Triton-treated group. Atherogenic Index (AI) level was signifi cantly decreased in fenofi brate and Arogyavardhini vati (200 mg/kg) treated rats when compared with normal control. Conclusion: Arogyavardhini vati, a traditionally used Ayurvedic medicine may be a useful therapy for hypercholesterolemia through reducing oxidative stress (decreasing MDA and increasing GSH) and lipid levels.

Newer Hypolipidemics on the Block.

Hypolipidemics, are much widely used in the present day scenario as the sure prophylactic to tackle cardiovascular diseases and stroke, which are leading causes of death across the world. Moreover, hyperlipidemia is not just a metabolic disorder, it also runs in families, making hypolipidemics more important and necessary. Hence, newer and more efficient drugs are being released. The statins and fibrates, especially rosuvastatin and fenofibrate are associated with much fewer complications then their early counterparts. Ezetemibe or orlistat reduce absorption of cholesterol, beclibrinic acid has a unique action. Chinese red yeast rice has a hyoplipidemic action. Our study has explored in detail the status of newer drugs like micronized fenofibrate, 1-methyl-4-piperidyl bis (chlorophenoxy) acetate, lentysine and gugulipid.

Pharmacodynamics of Yi Medicine Taruosan on prophase atherosclerosis in golden hamster with hyperlipidemia / 中草药

Objective: To observe the effect of water extract from Yi Medicine Taruosan (a prescription of podwer) on prophase atherosclerosis in golden hamster. Methods: The golden hamsters were injected with VD3, while fed with high cholesterol diet. After nine weeks, the models were established successfully. The golden hamsters were devided into model, Simvastatin (4.2 mg/kg), and high- and low-dose (16.8 and 2.1 g/kg) Taruosan water extract groups. The animals were ig administered once daily for 11 weeks, and the animals in the control group were not administered. After administration, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), low density lipoprotein cholestorol (LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein cholesferol (HDL-C) and the contents of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and tissue-inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were analyzed. Carotid histomorphological changes were observed by HE staining. Hepatic lesions were evaluated by liver index. Results: Compared with the model group, the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, IL-1β, TNF-α, and MMP-9 were reduced, the level of TIMP-1 increased, and the carotid artery and hepatic pathological changes were improved in the other groups. Conclusion: Taruosan has a therapeutic effect on prophase atherosclerosis, which may be due to regulating the lipid metabolism, reducing the level of inflammatory factors, and conditioning the imbalance state of MMP-9/TIMP-1.

Antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of aqueous extract of Carica papaya Linn leaves in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Background: India is considered as the diabetic capital of the world. The study of plants having antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activities may give a new approach in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Objective: The study was intended to evaluate the antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of aqueous extract of leaves of Carica papaya Linn. (AECPL) in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced in albino rats by administration of alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg, i.p.). Rats were divided into 6 groups of 6 animals each. First group served as non-diabetic control, second group as diabetic control, third group as standard and was treated with 0.1 mg/kg/day of glibenclamide. Group 4, 5, and 6 received 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight of AECPL. Blood samples were analyzed for blood glucose on day 0, 1, 7, 14, 21 and lipid profi le on day 21. Results: The AECPL showed signifi cant reduction (P<0.01) in blood glucose level and serum lipid profi le levels with 400 mg/kg body weight in alloxan-induced diabetic rats as compared with the control. Conclusion: It is concluded that AECPL is effective in controlling blood glucose levels and in improving lipid profi le in diabetic rats.

The enlargements of liver size induced by orotic acid and di (2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate occur in different metabolic pathways.

The present study was conducted to elucidate the metabolic pathways by which enlarged liver size of patients undergoing disorders of orotic acid de novo metabolism and those patients of enlarged liver size induced by di(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate in rats as animal model. The results showed that rats-treated with orotic acid generated liver triglyceride content 400% higher than that of the control accompanied with a significant decrease of phospholipid levels (P<0.05). The rates of lipogenic enzymes, both fatty acid synthase (FAS) and phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP), increase accompanying promotions of liver triglyceride content without any changes in fatty acid degradation pathway. However, those rats-treated with di(2- ethyl hexyl) phthalate generated liver phospholipid level significantly higher than of the control accompanied with a markedly decreased the liver triglyceride levels. Both FAS and PAP activities were almost similar with those controls but the rates of fatty acid degradation were increased approximately by 2.5-fold of control. In conclusion: The enlargement of liver size induced by orotic acid is associated with largely retains triglyceride molecules in liver tissues, whereas those induced by di(2-ethyl hexyl) is associated with the induction of phosphorylation generating an increase of liver phospholipid levels.

Phytochemical Analysis and Hypolipidemic Properties of Jatropha tanjorensis Leaf Extract.

Aims: This study investigated the phytochemical composition of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf and the effect of its methanolic extract on serum lipid profile of albino rats. Study design: Experimental Animal Model. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Osun State University, Osogbo Nigeria, between January and February 2011. Methodology: Twenty four (24) albino rats divided into four groups and weighing between 130 and 150g were used for the study. Group 1 served as the control, Groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered varying concentrations of methanolic leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis daily for 14 days. Results: Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of terpenoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids and tannins. Measurement of serum lipid profile in rats administered the extract indicate a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the mean values of total lipids, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol while triglycerides and HDL cholesterol levels were not significantly different from the control. Conclusion: This study suggests that leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis posses phytochemical ingredients capable of lowering blood cholesterol level and might be useful in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases caused by hyperlipidemia.