Toxicological Assessment and Ameliorative Effects of Parinari curatellifolia Alkaloids on Triton-Induced Hyperlipidemia and Atherogenicity in Rats

Abstract

In the present study, toxicity of the alkaloid extract and crude methanol extract of Parinari curatellifolia seeds and their anti-hyperlipidemic effect in Triton X-1339 intoxicated rats were investigated. Triton (200 mg/kg i.p)-induced hyperlipidemic rats were treated with nicotinic acid (500 mg/kg), alkaloid extract (15 mg/kg) or crude extract (150 mg/kg) by gavage for 10 days following which biochemical and histological analyses were carried out on heart, aorta and sera of the animals. Administration of triton led to increased levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides, low/very low density lipoproteins, and promoted cardiac oxidative stress. In addition, high density lipoprotein level was decreased while coronary and atherogenic risk indices were increased. The alkaloid extract (15 mg/kg) and crude methanol extract (150 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.001) salvaged triton-induced effects on cardiac antioxidant status, total cholesterol (41 and 36 %), triglyceride (53 and 42 %), low density lipoprotein (80 and 79 %), very low density lipoprotein (53 and 41 %), high density lipoprotein (50 and 166 %), coronary risk index (97 and 86 %) and atherogenic risk index (90 and 94 %) as comparable to the reference compound, nicotinic acid. In addition, improved heart and aortic histological architecture were observed in rats treated with both extracts. The present results revealed the antihyperlipidemic, antiatherogenic and antioxidant effects of P. curatellifolia alkaloids in triton-induced hyperlipidemic rats and indicate their potential usefulness as a source of hypolipidemic and anti-atherogenic drugs.