Efficacy of Stigmast–5–en–3β–ol Isolated from Salvadora persica L. as Antihyperlipidemic and Anti–tumor agent: Evidence from animal studies

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the Anti–hyperlipidemic and Anti–tumor effect of ethanolic extract, chloroform fraction and stigmast–5–en–3β–ol from stems of Salvadora persica L. MethodsThe antihyperlipidemic effect of ethanolic extract of Salvadora persica, its chloroform fraction and isolated components was evaluated in Triton- induced hyperlipidemic rats. Animals were administered with i.p. injection of Triton WR 1339 at dose of 400 mg/kg body weight. After 24 h. of Triton administration the test drugs were administered orally at doses of 200 mg/kg body weight in rats. The ethanolic extract and stigmast–5–en–3β–ol from Salvadora persica were further investigated for the tumor take inhibitory activity in hybrid mice (of C57BL strain + Swiss albino strain). Preventive group animals were injected daily with the extract and Stigmast–5–en–3β–ol at dose of 50mg/kg body weight i.p. for 10 consecutive days. The animals were observed for the growth of tumor after injection of B16F10 melanoma cells into the dorsal skin of mice. ResultsPhytochemical investigation of stems of Salvadora persica resulted in the isolation of stigmast–5–en–3β–ol. The structure of the component has been established on the basis of spectral data analysis. UV λ max was found to be 206 nm with a melting point of 138°C for the isolated component. The stigmast–5–en–3β–ol showed inhibition of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoproteins level (LDL), and significantly increased high density lipoprotein level (HDL) in Triton- induced hyperlipidemic rats. It suggested marked antihyperlipidemic activity of stigmast–5–en–3β–ol at the oral dose of 200mg/kg. Pretreatment with the drug showed delay tumor growth by increasing the Volume Doubling Time (VDT) and Growth Delay (GD). The Stigmast–5–en–3β–ol had shown better mean survival time. ConclusionsThese observations enabled to conclude that supplementation of antioxidants and phytosterols rich food exerts significant antihyperlipidemic and antitumor activity. The present investigation may be quite useful as this drug is highly valued as traditional system of medicine.