ABSTRACT
With a view to investigate the ameliorative effects of sitosterol esters against degenerative effects of hypercholesterolemia brain antioxidant enzyme assays, brain lipid profile, brain phospholipid compositional change and brain neurotransmitter concentrates (glutamic acid, asparctic acid, glycine) were measured in hypercholesterolemic rats. The results indicated that phytosterol esters have a role in countering hypercholesterolemia-related changes in the brain by decreasing the cholesterol levels, increasing the phospholipid levels and increasing the level of antioxidant enzymes. The results suggest that phytosterol esters may be of therapeutic significance and may offer new and effective options for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia-induced changes in the brain.
Subject(s)
Amino Acids/metabolism , Animals , Antioxidants/metabolism , Brain/drug effects , Brain/metabolism , Chromatography , Docosahexaenoic Acids/metabolism , Eicosapentaenoic Acid/metabolism , Esters/pharmacology , Fish Oils/metabolism , Glutathione/metabolism , Hypercholesterolemia/metabolism , Male , Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism , Phytosterols/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Sitosterols/pharmacology , alpha-Linolenic Acid/metabolismABSTRACT
Ocimum sanctum fixed oil showed good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, where S. aureus was the most sensitive organism. Sesame and soyabean oils also showed moderate activity against S. aureus. Higher content of linolenic acid in O. sanctum fixed oil could contribute towards its antibacterial activity. The antibacterial activity combined with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the oil, could make it useful in inflammatory disorder resulting from staphylococcal infection.