Effect of celery (apium graveolens) seeds extract on protease inhibitor (ritonavir) induced dyslipidemia.

ABSTRACT

Objective: The present study was carried out to explore protective effects of ethanolic extract of Apium graveolens (celery seeds) on ritonavir, a protease inhibitor induced dyslipidemia. Materials & Methods: Thirty mice were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 mice served as healthy control. Group 2 mice were given drug ritonavir at doses of 33.33 mg/kg (200mg/day, human dose), group 3 received same dose of ritonavir and ethanolic extract of celery seeds(CSE) at the doses of 75mg/kg. Group 4 was treated with same dose of ritonavir and CSE at high doses i.e.150mg/kg. Group 5 mice were given ritonavir and hypolipidemic drug, fenofibrate. All groups of mice were given the drug and extract by oral gavage route for the period of 12 weeks. Blood lipid profile and liver lipids of all the groups were tested at the end of 12 weeks. Results: Blood lipid profile was found to be deranged in the group of mice treated with ritonavir. Concurrent treatment of ritonavir with low dose of CSE showed no significant improvement in blood lipid profile in group 3 mice but high dose CSE along with ritonavir with the same dose of ritonavir exhibited significant improvement (p<0.05) in group 4 mice. Effect of fenofibrate in group 5 was almost equally effective as that of high dose of CSE. There was a similar pattern of decrease in liver lipids in all the groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Above results suggest that ethanolic extract of celery seeds possess potential for improving blood lipid profile & liver lipids deranged by ritonavir when given concurrently. Its efficacy approaches that of fenofibrate. Its intake along with ritonavir would be better in terms of cost and side effects as compared to fenofibrate.