Abstract
The present study was undertaken to evaluate antihyperlipidemic effect of aqueous methanolic extract of Berberis orthobotrys in experimentally induced hyperlipidemic animal models. Atorvastatin was used as standard drug. The crude extract (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly prevented the increase in low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), atherogenic index and coronary risk index in high fat diet, cholesterol, fructose and olive oil-induced hyperlipidemic rat models whereas in ethanol treated mice, the extract reduced VLDL, TG and TC levels. The high density lipoprotein (HDL) level was significantly increased in high fat diet, olive oil and cholesterol induced hyperlipidemic rats. The reduction in serum level of above parameters with 100 mg/kg dose of extract was comparable with atorvastatin. It is concluded, that B. orthobotrys has atheroprotective and lipid lowering potential. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjp.v9i3.19922
Highlights
Atherosclerosis is a complex fibro fatty and inflammatory disease characterized by proliferative chemotaxis of macrophages, T-lymphocytes and platelets, causing damage to coronary smooth muscles (Schwartz et al, 1993; Jain et al, 2007)
It is noteworthy that the B. orthobotrys extract produced a significant reduction in total cholesterol (TC), TG, low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), levels, increase in the high density lipoprotein (HDL) level and a non-significant decrease in AI and CRI, indicating its antihyperlipidemic effect
Reduction in the level of serum lipids of crude extract treated animal models was much higher than in positive control. This is in agreement with the previous findings that hyperlipidemic rats appear to have a stronger response to antihypertensive agents (Santosh Kumar et al, 2013)
Summary
Atherosclerosis is a complex fibro fatty and inflammatory disease characterized by proliferative chemotaxis of macrophages, T-lymphocytes and platelets, causing damage to coronary smooth muscles (Schwartz et al, 1993; Jain et al, 2007). Derangement in lipid metabolism and elevation of plasma lipoprotein level are the leading cause of type II diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease atherosclerosis (Carr and Brunzell, 2004). It’s become a need of time to biologically evaluate the traditional medicines of Pakistan. Berberidaceae a well-known family of several medicinally active compounds indigenous to subcontinent (Pakistan, India, China and Afghanistan). In Pakistan’s northern areas local people use this plant commonly for the treatment of hypertension. During a study on hypertension this plant reveals some hypolipidemic effect. Since no pharmacological knowledge is available for this plant, and to conform its activity a research study is conducted to evaluate its possible antihyperlipidemic activity (Alamgeer et al, 2013). You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor
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