Effects of anthraquinones from Cassia obtusifolia L. on cholesterol biosynthesis in cells

Chuhua LI; Xue LI; Kunyang FANG; Baoliang GUO

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The effective chemical constituents and the precise action mechanism of Cassia obtusifolia L. seed to rats with hypercholesterolemia are not clear.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate effects of anthraquinones from Cassia obtusifolia L. on hypolipidemic activity and endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis in rats with experimental hyperlipoidemia, and to explore the effective compound and the mechanism of Cassia obtusifolia L. seed on hypolipidemic action. DESIGN, TIME AND

SETTING:

The randomized controlled animal experiment was performed from September 2003 to May 2004. All rats were raised and tested at the College of Life Sciences, South China Normal University. Blood sample was collected from the tail vein at the Institute of Biotechnology to detect blood lipid, survival rate, and to culture cells. MATERIALS Forty-five male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were used to establish animal models of hypedipoidemia by intragastrically with fat emulsion. Cassia obtusifolia L. seed was purchased from Guangzhou Dispensary, China, and further identified by South China Plant Institute. Anthraquinones were extracted from Cassia obtusifolia L. by the Institute of Biotechnology of South China Normal University.

METHODS:

Forty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=15) a control group, 80 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg anthraquinones groups. Rat models in each group were given fat emulsion in the morning and afternoon 2 days after model induction, once in morning. Rat modes were treated with corresponding doses of drugs in the two experimental groups. Rat models were administrated with the same volume of saline in the control group, once a day, for 20 days. MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

Effect of anthraquinones on endogenous cholesterin in Chinese hamster oocytes was measured by amphotericin B cell models. The levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density iipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were detected by enzyme endpoint method. Survival rate of Chinese hamster oocytes (A570) was tested by methyl thiazolyi tetrazolium (MTT) with spectrophotometric determination.

RESULTS:

Anthraquinones significantly reduced total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C levels and increased HDL-C levels in hyperlipidemic rats in a dose-dependant pattern. Anthraquinones elevated the survival rate of Chinese hamster oocytes.

CONCLUSION:

Anthraquinones can decrease blood lipid levels. Inhibition of cholesterol synthesis of anthraquinones may be one of the underlying mechanism involved in decreasing blood lipid.