The aqueous extract of Christ’s thorn (Ziziphus spina-christi) seed modulateshyperlipidemia in hypercholesterolemic male rat.

Abstract

The hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity of the crude aqueous extract of Christ’s thorn ( Ziziphus spina-christi ) seed was tested in hypercholesterolemic male rat. Eighteen albino rats were divided into 3 groups (n=6), the 1st group was the negative control fed fat rich diet, the 2ndwas the positive control fed 2% cholesterol in the fat rich diet and the 3rd was fed 2% cholesterol and concurrently treated with 200 mg/kg b.w. Christ’s thorn seed aqueous extract. The induced hypercholesterolemia in G2 increased lipid profile, lipid peroxide, liver and kidney function parameters, and decreased antioxidants. The tissues of kidney, liver, heart and testes showed altered histopathological changes. The concurrent treatment with Christ’s thorn seed aqueous extract in G3 restored the altered biochemical and histological features to normal. Phenolic constituents of Christ’s thorn seed aqueous extract suppressed the oxidative stress and reduced the hypercholesterolemia, and restored the altered biochemical and histopathological features.