Lipid-lowering and antiatherogenic effects of Vitex megapotamica (Spreng.) Moldenke in a mice experimental model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Vitex megapotamica (Spreng.) Moldenke is a deciduous tree, native of South America. Its leaves are traditionally used to treat cardiovascular diseases. This activity is related to the presence of flavonoids, the major compounds of the crude extract. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study investigated the effects of the oral administration of crude extract and standardized fractions from V. megapotamica leaves on lipid profile and on the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in C57BL/6 LDLr-KO mice treated with high-fat diet (HFD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male C57BL/6 LDLr-KO mice were fed with HFD (cholesterol, 1.25%) for 30 days. They were treated with hydroethanolic extract (500 or 1000mg/kg/day) or fractions (125 or 250mg/kg/day). After 30 days of treatment, it was evaluated the serum lipid profile, atherogenic index, and atherosclerotic plaque. RESULTS: All doses of the hydroethanolic extract reduced significantly the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c and the atherogenic index. The n-butanolic fraction also reduced significantly the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c and the atherogenic index, at all doses, with exception for the triglycerides, which only the lower dose was effective. The residual fraction reduced significantly the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-c and the atherogenic index, at all doses, with exception for the atherogenic index, which only the higher dose was effective. The atherosclerotic plaque formation was impaired only by the lower dose of the hydroethanolic extract. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our data suggest that V. megapotamica has potential for the treatment of dyslipidemias.

Renoprotective Effects of Vitex megapotamica (Spreng.) Moldenke in C57BL/6 LDLr-Null Mice Undergoing High Fat Diet.

Although Vitex megapotamica (Spreng.) Moldenke is used in Brazilian folk medicine as hypolipidemic drug no study has been conducted to evaluate the effects of this species in an experimental model of atherosclerosis. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possible renoprotective activity of methanolic extract obtained from Vitex megapotamica (MEVM) using C57BL/6 LDLr-null mice submitted to high fat diet (HFD). MEVM was orally administered at doses of 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg, for three weeks, starting from the 2nd week of HFD. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diuretic activity were measured weekly. At the end of experiments the serum lipids, atherogenic index serum (AIS), oxidative stress, and markers of renal function were determined. HFD induced a significant increase in the systolic blood pressure, dyslipidemia, increase in AIS, and lipid peroxidation accompanied by an important reduction in renal function. Treatment with MEVM was able to prevent increase in SBP, total cholesterol, triglycerides, AIS, urea, and creatinine levels in LDLr-null mice. These effects were accompanied by a significant reduction in oxidative stress and renal injury. The data reported here support the potential of Vitex megapotamica as candidate to be an herbal medicine used in cardiovascular or renal diseases.

Lipid-lowering effects of standardized extracts of Ilex paraguariensis in high-fat-diet rats.

Mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil) is a native species of South America used to prepare traditional beverages. Recently a possible effect of its infusion on oxidative stress found in dyslipidemias has been reported. The main compounds related to these activities are phenolic compounds derived from chlorogenic acid. This study aimed to determine the anticholesteremic effect of the hydroethanolic extract (HEIP) and its n-butanolic fraction (n-BFIP), with standardized content of phenolic compounds derived from chlorogenic acid, in rats treated with high-fat diet (HFD). The contents of these compounds in the ethanol extract and n-butanol fraction were respectively two and three times higher than in traditional infusion with predominance of dicaffeoylquinic derivatives. The extracts were able to reduce serum triglycerides and cholesterol and decrease the atherogenic index in treated animals. These results support a potential effect of the mate extract in cardiovascular disease.