Abstract
BackgroundPiper sarmentosum (P.s) has flavonoid component in its leaves which has antioxidative effect. To date, its effect on atherosclerosis has not been studied histologically.AimThe study aimed to investigate the effect of P.s on atherosclerotic changes in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.MethodsForty two male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into seven groups. C - control group fed normal rabbit chow, CH - cholesterol diet (1% cholesterol), W1 - 1% cholesterol with water extract of P.s (62.5 mg/kg), W2 - 1% cholesterol with water extract of P.s (125 mg/kg), W3 - 1% cholesterol with water extract of P.s (250 mg/kg), W4 - 1% cholesterol with water extract of P.s (500 mg/kg) and Smv - 1% cholesterol supplemented with simvistatin drug (1.2 mg/kg). All rabbits were treated for 10 weeks. Following 10 weeks of supplementation, the animals were sacrificed and the aortic tissue was taken for histological study.ResultsRabbits fed only with high cholesterol diet 1% cholesterol (CH) showed focal fatty streak lesions compared to the C group and 1% cholesterol supplemented with simvistatin drug (Smv) group. Atherosclerotic lesions in the 1% cholesterol group supplemented with P.s (500 mg/kg) i.e. W4 group showed significant reduction (30 ± 6.0%, p < 0.05) in fatty streak compared to the high cholesterol group (85.6 ± 4.1%) under Sudan IV stain. The atherosclerotic lesions under transmission electron microscope showed reduction in foam cells in the treatment groups compared to the CH groups.ConclusionAdministration of P.s extract has protective effect against atheroscleros
Highlights
Piper sarmentosum belongs to the family Piperaceae and it is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical countries
The rabbits were randomly divided into seven groups; control group (C; n = 6) rabbits was fed the standard diet, atherogenic rabbits group (CH; n = 6) was fed the standard diet enriched with 1% cholesterol, treatment groups (W1;n = 6, W2; n = 6, W3; n = 6 and W4; n = 6), were fed with standard diet enriched with 1% cholesterol plus different doses of water extract of P.S (62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day) respectively
We observed that the severity of the atherosclerosis lesions in aorta was associated with hypercholesterolemia which was in accordance with past investigations [22]
Summary
Piper sarmentosum belongs to the family Piperaceae and it is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical countries. The plant contains constituents likes alkaloids (amide, flavonoids, pyrones) [2] and it has been reported to possess pharmacological properties like antituberculosis [3] anti cancer [4], anti-angiogenic [5], hypoglycaemic [6], antimalarial [7], antioxidant [8], neuromuscular blocker [9] and antiamebic [10]. Due to these properties, the plant has a great potential of commercial-. Its effect on atherosclerosis has not been studied histologically
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