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.

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of fruit of Withania coagulans (Stocks) Dunal in cholesterol-fed hyperlipidemic rabbit model.

Withania coagulans (family: Solanaceae, English: Indian Cheese Maker, Hindi: Doda Paneer) fruit is known for its ethanopharmacological significance in health care system of India. Diet rich in high-fat is an important risk factor for diabetes, atherosclerosis and macro and microvascular complications. Treatment with aqueous extract of fruit of W. coagulans (aqWC; 250 mg/kg body weight) in cholesterol-fed animals resulted in significant decrease in the levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low density lipoprotein, tissue lipid content and acetyl CoA carboxylase activity whereas, the level of high density lipoprotein and activity of HMGCoA reductase also recovered partially. Treatment with aqWC also significantly decreased plasma lipid peroxide levels and increased reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase activities. These results suggest that the aqueous extract of W. coagulans has potent lipid lowering and antioxidant activities.

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.

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.

Hypolipidemic activity of Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. leaf extract in atherogenic diet induced hyperlipidemic rats.

In atherogenic diet induced hyperlipidemic model, the rats receiving treatment with the aqueous extract of the leaves of E. prostrata showed significant reduction in total cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein and elevation in high density lipoprotein cholesterol.The aqueous extract of E. prostrata was found to possess significant hypolipidemic activity. The results also suggest that E. prostrata leaf extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg b.wt. concentrations is an excellent lipid-lowering agent.