effect of methanol extract of primula elatior seeds on lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic adult male rabbits and its antioxidants activity

Hypercholesterolemia, high cholesterol diet and oxidative stress increase serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein [LDL]- cholesterol levels resulting in increased risk for development of atherosclerosis. The cholesterol lowering effect of dietary plants has been well studied and various plants were shown to be helpful in lowering plasma cholesterol levels and encouraging safety profile. Many plants contain antioxidant compounds arid these compounds protect cells against the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species. This study was carried out to determine the effect of methanol extract of primula elatior seeds on serum lipid levels, serum lipid peroxidation and whether it can reduce or prevent atherosclerotic lesion in aorta and fatty changes in liver in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. The rabbits were divided into four groups. Group I fed with standard chow diet for six weeks. Group II fed with standard diet supplemented with 1%cholesierol [atherogenic diet] for six weeks. Group III fed with atherogenic diet and Primula elatior seeds extract [40 mg/kg body weight per day] through stomach tube for six weeks. Group IV fed with the atherogenic diet for six weeks, then stop atherogenic diet and fed with cholesteroifree diet and Primula elatior seeds extract with same dose in group III for another 6 weeks. Feeding cholesterol significantly increased plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and malnodialdyhyde. It decreased total antioxidants. Treatment with methanol extract of primnula elatior seeds decreased significantly the total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and malnodialdyhyde levels. HDL-cholesterol and total antioxidants levels increased significantly. These play a key role in the protection against oxidative damages and improvement of lipid profile. The histopathological findings confirmed that methanol extract ofprimula elatior seeds had the ability to decrease the progression of fotty changes in the liver and some atherosclerotic lesions in aorta. Intima/media ratio was significantly also decreased. In conclusion, the use of primula elatior seeds could be useful in management and/or prevention of atherosclerosis and 50 reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke

Prediction equation for spirometric parameters in Egyptian adult population

Many factors affecting the lung functions, directly or indirectly, including anthropometric values, nutritional state, and body mass index. The aim of this study [First study in middle Egypt, Assiut governorate.] was depending on estimation of predication equation reference; establish normal spirometric values with age from 20-45 years in both genders. Furthermore, comparing our result with previous studies in our Arabic area as well as US population. The prediction equation in Assiut area governorate is including the height besides, age and weight. From results, it was found that the spirometric values and the prediction equation in males are better than females. It is in agreement with Jordanian male but less in females. While our results in both males and females is less than US' population. It is concluded that prediction equation in our area in Egypt is including weight and the spirometric values in females is less than males. These results are in agreement with other Arabic studies [Jordanian rather than Omani,] and are less than US' population which may be due to differences in anthropometric features, genetics as well as dietary habits

Chemical and biological studies of the methanolic extarct of primula elatior L. seeds

Fractionation and purification of the methanolic extract of the seeds of Primula elatior L [Primulaceae] cultivated in Egypt yielded six compounds named as beta-sitosterol-S-O-beta-D-glucoside [1], 4-ethyl gallic acid methyl ester [2], kaempferol [3], [+] catechin [4] together with the two polygalloylglucose derivatives, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6-penta-O-galloyl- beta-D-glucopyranose [5] and 1, 2, 3, 6-tetra-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucopyranose [6]. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined on the basis of extensive 1D [[1]H and [13]C] and 2D [COSY, HMQC, and HMBC] NMR studies, and mass spectral measurements. The anti-hypercholesterolemic effect of the total methanolic extract of Primula elatior L seeds has been studied and discussed