Clearing the Clutter: Antiatherosclerotic activity of Eucalyptus camaldulensis crude extract.

Plant components have been extensively evaluated for their pharmacological activities. This study provides scientific rationale towards the therapeutic effect of Eucalyptus camaldulensis aqueous bark extract against induced atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia in pigeons. Phytochemical components of Eucalyptus bark extract possess a great antioxidant activity that potentially reduced the risk of heart diseases. A total of 42 Pigeons of both sexes were distributed into negative control (fed normal grain diet), hyperlipidemic control (fed HFD 1% animal fat oil and 0.1% cholesterol for 3 months), test groups of variable doses (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 to 0.4 gms/kg BW for 21 days) and the group received atorvastatin daily after induction used. At the end of the experiment biochemical and histological evaluation has been performed. After HFD induction the serum levels of liver enzyme AST, glucose, urea, cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, and TG were significantly increased with the reduction in HDL levels. The atherogenic index was also found significantly raised. Microscopic examination of the liver and aorta showed the appearance of lipid-filled foam cells all over the liver parenchyma and intima after the HFD induction. Thus it was concluded that Eucalyptus aqueous bark extract can be effective against atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia.

Efficacy of lycopene on modulation of renal antioxidant enzymes, ACE and ACE gene expression in hyperlipidaemic rats.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of lycopene on renal tissue antioxidant enzymes and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene expression and serum activity in diet-induced hyperlipidaemia. METHODS: Thirty-two female Wistar albino rats (200-250 g weight), 5-6 months of age, were randomly selected and divided into four groups. Group I received normal diet; group II received 24 g high fat diet/100 g of daily diet; group III received 24 g high fat diet/100 g daily diet and 200 ml of lycopene extract (twice a week) for 8 weeks; and group IV received 200 ml oral lycopene extract twice a week for 8 weeks. RESULTS: A marked increase was observed in plasma urea and creatinine levels, serum C-reactive protein, kidney weight, tissue renal malonyldialdehyde level, ACE gene expression and serum level, while a decrease catalase level among hyperlipidaemic rats was observed. Histologically, interstitial inflammation and proliferation was seen. Lycopene supplementation significantly decreased plasma urea and creatinine, serum ACE, renal tissue malonyldialdehyde level and C-reactive protein level, while it increased tissue antioxidant enzymes level and total protein. Tissue inflammation and proliferation was improved. CONCLUSIONS: This finding suggests that supplementation of lycopene is effective for renal antioxidant enzymes, ACE gene expression and ACE serum level in hyperlipidaemic rats.

Obesity: an independent risk factor for systemic oxidative stress.

The role of obesity in diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, colon cancer, sudden death and other cardiovascular diseases has confirmed in many recent research studies. In present study, it is hypothesized that obesity can serve as an independent risk factor for the decreased activities of cytoprotective antioxidants in humans and for the associated systemic oxidative stress. 150 age matched, female subjects with no history of smoking or biochemical evidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, renal or liver disease or cancer were included in the study and were divided into different grades of obesity according to their body mass index (BMI). Hemoglobin and erythrocyte glutathione (GSH) concentrations were measured for each subject. The study suggests that increase BMI was found to be associated with a significant decrease in erythrocyte glutathione concentration. From these observations it is concluded that obesity even in the absence of smoking, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, renal or liver diseases can decrease the activities of body's protective antioxidants, and can enhance the systemic oxidative stress and should therefore receive the same attention as obesity with complications.