Abstract
Plant saponins exhibit numerous pharmacological characteristics desirable for long term hyperlipidemic therapy through their cholesterol binding capacity due to the formation of liposomes/phytosomes which ultimately decreases the gastrointestinal absorption of cholesterol. This may result in the reduction of the blood plasma cholesterol levels; hence, mitigating cardiovascular and atherosclerotic problems that are associated with elevated plasma cholesterol concentrations. In this study, we reported for the first time a potential method of synthesizing phytosomes/liposomes from two medicinal plants Pentanisia prunelloides (Rubiaceae) and Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Fabaceae) saponin extracts and fractions using α-phosphotidycholine and cholesterol. This was done to explore the possibility of cholesterol binding capacity of fractions and extracts of the two medicinal plants as a justification of their application by traditional healers in managing body weight as well as averting hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. Spherical nanoparticles/phytosomes/liposomes were clearly identified in the TEM images with particle sizes ranging between tens and hundreds of nanometers. The zeta potential of the nanoparticles fell between -5 and +5 mV indicating that they have a high potential for aggregation; hence, making it relatively very difficult for the complexed cholesterol molecules to permeate the microscopic pores in the alimentary tract. Keywords: Frontier transmission infra-red (FTIR), liposomes, adjuvants, zeta-potential, α-phosphotidycholine African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(12), 1402-1412
Highlights
IntroductionMuch phytochemical-research attention has focused on the metabolites and pharmacokinetics of saponins due to their biological activities and absorption profile (Akihisa et al, 2007; Donya et al, 2007; Harinantenaina et al, 2006; Kimura et al, 2005)
Much phytochemical-research attention has focused on the metabolites and pharmacokinetics of saponins due to their biological activities and absorption profile (Akihisa et al, 2007; Donya et al, 2007; Harinantenaina et al, 2006; Kimura et al, 2005).Saponins are responsible for diverse effects including anti-inflammation, anti-allergy, antitumor, augmentation of the immune responses, stimulating the apoptosis of skin cells, anti-obesity and anti-hyperlipidemia (Awad et al., 2011; Amin et al, 2010; Wang et al, 2011)
E. elephantina (Ee) samples obtained from Zimbabwe (Zim-SJ 1) and Kwazulu Natal (KZN-SJ 2) while P. prunelloides (Pp) samples were from Orange
Summary
Much phytochemical-research attention has focused on the metabolites and pharmacokinetics of saponins due to their biological activities and absorption profile (Akihisa et al, 2007; Donya et al, 2007; Harinantenaina et al, 2006; Kimura et al, 2005). Saponins are responsible for diverse effects including anti-inflammation, anti-allergy, antitumor, augmentation of the immune responses, stimulating the apoptosis of skin cells, anti-obesity and anti-hyperlipidemia (Awad et al., 2011; Amin et al, 2010; Wang et al, 2011). Saponins can activate the mammalian immune system, which has led to significant interest in their potential as vaccine adjuvants/liposomes (Skene and Sutton, 2006). Vaccines require optimal adjuvants including immunopotentiator and delivery systems to offer long term protection from infectious diseases in animals and man. Phospholipids like alpha- phosphodylcholine are employed in the formation of phytosomes/
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