The role of purslane in modulating diverse effects of high fat diet on biochemical, histological, and molecular parameters of rats’ liver

Consuming a high-fat diet causes a harmful accumulation of fat in the liver, which may not reverse even after switching to a healthier diet. Different reports dealt with the role of purslane as an extract against high-fat diet; meanwhile, it was necessary to study the potential role of fresh purslane as a hypolipidemic agent. This study is supposed to investigate further the potential mechanism in the hypolipidemic effect of fresh purslane, by measuring cholesterol 7a-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (Ldlr). Rats were divided into two main groups: the first one is the normal control group (n=7 rats) and the second group (n=28 rats) received a high fat diet for 28 weeks to induce obesity. Then the high fat diet group was divided into equal four subgroups. As, the positive control group still fed on a high fat diet only. Meanwhile, the other three groups were received high-fat diet supplemented with a different percent of fresh purslane (25, 50 and 75%) respectively. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and samples were collected for molecular, biochemical, and histological studies. Current study reported that, supplementation of fresh purslane especially at a concentration of 75% play an important role against harmful effects of high-fat diet at both cellular and organ level, by increasing CYP7A1 as well as Ldlr mRNA expression. Also, there were an improvement on the tested liver functions, thyroid hormones, and lipid profile. Fresh purslane plays the potential role as a hypolipidemic agent via modulation of both Ldlr and Cyp7A, which will point to use fresh purslane against harmful effects of obesity.

A Strategy for Screening the Lipid-Lowering Components in Alismatis Rhizoma Decoction Based on Spectrum-Effect Analysis

Alismatis Rhizoma decoction (ARD), comprised of Alisma plantago-aquatica subsp. orientale (Sam.) Sam and Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. at a ratio of 5 : 2, is a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula with successful clinical hypolipidemic effect. This paper aimed to explore the major bioactive compounds and potential mechanism of ARD in the treatment of hyperlipidemia on the basis of spectrum-effect analysis and molecular docking. Nine ARD samples with varying ratios of the constituent herbs were prepared and analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS to obtain the chemical spectra. Then, the lipid-lowering ability of the nine samples was tested in an oleic acid-induced lipid accumulation model in human hepatoma cells (HepG2). Grey relational analysis and partial least squares regression analysis were then performed to determine the correlation between the chemical spectrums and lipid-lowering efficacies of ARD. The potential mechanisms of the effective compounds were investigated by docking with the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) protein. The results indicated that alisol B 23-acetate, alisol C 23-acetate, and alisol B appeared to be the core effective components on hyperlipidemia in ARD. Molecular docking further demonstrated that all three compounds could bind to FXR and were potential FXR agonists for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. This study elucidated the effective components and potential molecular mechanism of action of ARD for treating hyperlipidemia from a perspective of different compatibility, providing a new and feasible reference for the research of TCM formulas such as ARD.

The Hypolipidemic Effect of Dalbergia odorifera T. C. Chen Leaf Extract on Hyperlipidemic Rats and Its Mechanism Investigation Based on Network Pharmacology

Objective. The aim of this study was to explore the hypolipidemic effect and mechanism of Dalbergia odorifera T. C. Chen leaf extract. Methods. The hypolipidemic effect of D. odorifera leaf extract was investigated using a hyperlipidemic rat model. Then, its mechanism was predicted using network pharmacology methods and verified using western blotting. Results. Compared with the levels in the model group, the serum levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased significantly, whereas the serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased dramatically after treatment with the extract. The degrees of hepatocyte steatosis and inflammatory infiltration were markedly attenuated in vivo. Then, its hyperlipidemic mechanism was predicted using network pharmacology-based analysis. Thirty-five key targets, including sterol regulatory element-binding protein cleavage-activating protein (SCAP), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), and ten signaling pathways, were associated with hyperlipidemia. Finally, it was verified that the extract downregulated the protein levels of SCAP, SREBP-2, and HMGCR, and upregulated protein levels of LDLR. Conclusion. These findings provided additional evidence of the hypolipidemic effect of D. odorifera leaf extract.

Comparative Hypolipidemic Evaluation of Aframomum Melegueta Seeds and Moringa Oleifera Leaves

Aims: The study was carried out to compare the lipid lowering effects of both crude drugs as well as deducing the extracts with the best lipid lowering property; and the fractions. Study Design: The research was conducted with an experimental design solely based on laboratory trials which involved the use of ninety-six (96) male albino wistar rats to compare the hypolipidemic effects of both crude drugs and respective fractions. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacognosy Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu, Anambra State, Nigeria. The research was carried out from March to August, 2021. Methodology: Ethanol extracts of both plants were prepared using soxhlet extraction. Each extract was then subjected to VLC fractionation using four solvents: n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The fractions were bulked together after conducting thin layer chromatographic procedures and each extract was bulked into four fractions. The acute toxicity studies (LD50) of both extracts were determined in the rats using Lorke’s method. The crude extracts were screened for the presence and quantity of phytoconstituents using standard methods. The antilipidemic study was carried out using sixty-eight (68) rats randomized into seventeen (17) groups of four (4) animals each. Lipid profile was determined using spectrophotometer. Liver function tests and histology was also carried out using standard procedures. Results: Administration of various treatments (both crude extracts and fractions) evoked a significant (p<0.05) reduction of TC, TG, and LDL-C as well as significant (p<0.05) elevation of HDL-C when compared with the negative control. With a percentage serum lipid reduction of 45.11%TC, 48.23%TG, 63.39% LDL-C and 174.69% elevation of HDL-C, the group treated with the combination of 500 mg/kg Aframomum melegueta and 500 mg/kg Moringa oleifera produced the best hypolipidemic effect. This is closely followed by fraction MO4. Comparatively, Moringa oleifera extracts exerts a better antilipidemic effect than Aframomum melegueta seed extract. The liver function test showed that both plants has no toxic effect on the liver cells at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, hence confirming the hepatoprotective effect of both crude drugs at the doses administered. Conclusion: In conclusion, results from this study suggests that ethanol extract of Moringa oleifera leaves is more effective than ethanol extract of Aframomum melegueta seeds as a hypolipidemic agent, however, combination of both crude drugs as a lipid lowering agent has proved to be more effective and reliable when compared to each crude drug administered independently.

Relationship between genetic polymorphism of drug transporters and the efficacy of Rosuvastatin, atorvastatin and simvastatin in patients with hyperlipidemia

Background To determine the effect of genetic polymorphism of drug transporters on the efficacy of treatment with Rosuvastatin, Atorvastatin and Simvastatin in patients with hyperlipidemia. Methods The study consists of 180 patients, aged 40–75 years, with hyperlipidemia. All patients were divided into two equal groups: patients with different SLCO1B1 (521CC, 521CT and 521TT) and MDR1 (3435CC, 3435TC and 3435TT) genotypes. Each group was divided into rosuvastatin-treated, atorvastatin-treated and simvastatin-treated subgroups. The lipid-lowering effect of statins was assessed by tracing changes in total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Results The use of statins over a 4-month period led to substantial reductions in TC and LDL-C levels. The hypolipidemic effect of studied agents was seen in both groups. However, it was less pronounced in patients with 521CC genotype. No statistically significantly differences were found between carriers of 3435TT, 3435CT and 3435CC genotypes. Conclusions The lipid-lowering efficacy of rosuvastatin was higher compared to other two statins. Patients with SLCO1B1 521CC genotype are more likely to encounter a decrease in the hypolipidemic effect of statins. Such a risk should be considered when treating this category of patients. MDR1 polymorphism had no significant effect on statin efficacy.

Evaluation of the hypolipidemic effect of Gangaria de flush herbal mixture in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats

Diabetes mellitus is a complex multifarious metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia that requires non-stop treatment with multiple factors that will reduce the risk of long-term complications and drug side effects. Streptozotocin is well known for its selective pancreatic islet β-cell cytotoxicity used to induce diabetes mellitus in animals. It also interferes with cellular metabolic oxidative mechanisms. Phytomedicine has been in existence since the primitive age and has proven to be effective in treating this condition. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of Gangaria de flush (Gdf) herbal mixture on lipid profile in streptozotocin (STZ) (60mg/kg) induced diabetic rat. The diabetic rats were treated with Gangaria de flush (0.3ml/kg body weight) and Glibenclamide (5mg/kg body weight) for 7days. The effects of both Gangaria de flush herbal mixture and glibenclamide were analyzed. Gangaria de flush showed a reduction in the lipid profile with a significant percentage reduction of 45.9% for the total cholesterol, 65.7% for the total triglyceride, 63.5% for the low-density lipoprotein, 65.8% for the very low-density lipoprotein as against the negative control and a 7.6% significant increase in the high density lipoprotein. Gangaria de flush showed a significant (p<0.05) positive effect on the lipid profile. Hence, it can be suggested that Gangaria de flush herbal mixture has a significant effect in maintaining the lipid level.

Inclusion of Citrullus colocynthis Seed Extract into Diets Induced a Hypolipidemic Effect and Improved Layer Performance

Citrullus colocynthis (CC) has been known as a natural medicinal plant with wide biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antilipidemic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of inclusion of the ethanolic extract of CC seeds (ECCs) into layer diets on the lipid profile, stress indicators, and physiological and productive performance of laying hens. A total of 216 forty-week-old commercial Hy-Line brown laying hens were randomly assigned into four equal groups (3 birds × 18 replicates per group) that received a basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg of ECCs for 12 consecutive weeks. The first group served as a control. The results showed that ECCs at 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg significantly (p < 0.05) improved the productive and physiological performance compared to the other groups. In addition, stress indicators examined in the laying hens, including lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde (MDA)), corticosterone hormone (CORT), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), were significantly alleviated after inclusion of ECCs into layer diets at the three levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, all ECC levels induced a significant reduction in plasma triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (CH) levels in the plasma, liver, and egg yolk, whereas the highest levels were obtained with 2.0 g/kg of ECCs. Particularly important, a high linear correlation (R2 = 0.60–0.79) was observed between increasing doses of ECCs and MDA, liver CH, and egg yolk CH concentrations and egg weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio; moreover, the correlation was extremely high (R2 = 0.80–0.100) with the level of TG, CH, low-density lipoprotein CH, high-density lipoprotein CH, and CORT. These results indicated that dietary supplementation with 2.0 g/kg of ECCs could be considered a successful nutritional approach to producing healthier, lower-cholesterol eggs for consumers, in addition to enhancing the physiological and productive performance of laying hens by alleviating the stress of intensive commercial production.

Hypolipidemic effect of prepared Polyherbal formulations in Wistar albino rats

Lipid lowering effect of polyherbal formulations using eight different plants was evaluated in triton and diet induced hyperlipidemic models of wistar albino rats. Formulations such as Tablet, Syrup and Suspension inhibited the elevation in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels on Triton WR 1339 administration rats. The formulations at the same dose level significantly attenuated the elevated serum total cholesterol and triglycerides with an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats. The standard drug Niacin showed slightly better effects. The treatment with herbal formulations produced 30-35 percentage improvement in oral glucose tolerance. Similarly all the formulations also reduced the elevated C-reactive protein which is a marker of Hyperlipidemia. In histopathological study it was found that treatment of polyherbal formulation significantly reduced the plaque size in aorta compared with HFD treated control group. The outcome of the study reveals the lipid lowering activity of polyherbal formulations in dyslipidaemic conditions by interfering with the biosynthesis of cholesterol and utilization of lipids.