Ruta chalepensis L Considerable Action against Obesity or Hyperlipidemia in Body

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to estimate the efficacy of Ruta chalepensis L in falling the cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Materials and methods: Hypercholesteremia was induced in normal rabbits by adding 0.75 g cholesterol and 1.5 g bile salt in normal diet that were used for the experiments. Dried leaves and fruits powder of Ruta chalepensis L was administered as feed supplement at 5 g and 10 g dose levels to the hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Plasma and liver lipid profiles, fecal bile acid, hepatic HMG-CoA reductase, malondialdehyde, cholesterol and neutral sterols were estimated by using standard methods. Results: Feed supplementation with 5 g and 10 g of Ruta chalepensis L resulted in a significant decline in hepatic and plasma lipid profiles. The feed supplementation increased the HMG-CoA reductase activity and bile acid production in all groups of rabbits with immediate increase in fecal cholesterol excretion and in fecal bile acid. The activities of catalase, SOD and ascorbic acid content increased significantly in both the experimental groups (5 and 10 g supplemented groups). On the other hand, the concentration of malondialdehyde in these groups (5 and 10 g supplemented groups) decreased significantly, that was an indication of decreased lipid peroxidation. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that addition of Ruta chalepensis L fruits leaves powder at 5 g and 10 g level as feed supplement reduces the plasma and hepatic lipid (cholesterol) levels and also decreases lipid per-oxidation.