Antihyperlipidemic activity of Ichnocarpus frutescens in triton WR-1339-induced and high-fat diet animals

Antihyperlipidemic Effect, Identification and Isolation of the Lipophilic Components from Artemisia integrifolia

Artemisia integrifolia L. (Compositae) is a medicinal and edible plant. To investigate its antihyperlipidemic effect, a crude lipophilic extract and the composing compounds were isolated and fractioned from the petroleum ether extract of aerial parts of A. integrifolia using column chromatography on silica gel. The anti-hyperlipidemia effect was studied in a rat model of acute hyperlipidemia, which was induced by triton WR-1339. A new compound, integrinol (4), together with nine known compounds, namely chamazulene (1), acetylenes (E)-2 (2), acetylenes (E)-3 (3), eugenol (5), palmitic acid (6), oleic acid (7), linoleic acid (8), linolenic acid (9) and 12,13-epoxylinolenic acid were isolated from the crude lipophilic extract of A. integrifolia. The LD50 value of the crude extract was more than 4 g/kg. In Triton WR-1339-induced acute hyperlipidemia model, the crude lipophilic extract (200 mg/kg) significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC) by 70% (p ≤ 0.01) and triglycerides (TGs) by 94% (p ≤ 0.001). The fractioned compounds, such as chamazulene (1), acetylene-2 (2), and linolenic acid (9), used at 4 mg/kg dose, also significantly decreased the concentrations of TC (32%, 33% and 64%, respectively) and TGs (48%, 33% and 93%, respectively). These compounds (i.e., chamazulene, acetylenes (E)-2, and linolenic acid) were considered to be responsible for the bioactive antihyperlipidemic effect. In conclusion, the crude lipid extract of Artemisia integrifolia L. could be used as a potential treatment to avert hyperlipidemia. Further studies to confirm these results in other models of hyperlipidemia (e.g., diet-induced obesity) are warranted.

Effect of active sub-fraction of Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) R.Br. in the management of obesity

AIM OF THE STUDY

Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) R.Br. (Apocynaceae) is used by the traditional healers in India to treat diabetes and hyperlipidemia.This work aims to study the antiobesity effect of the active sub-fraction obtained from the leaves of this plant using in vitro and in vivo models.

METHODOLOGY

Active sub-fraction (Sfr3) isolated by column chromatography was analyzed using Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Adipogenesis and apoptosis were detected by oil red O and Hoechst-33342 staining, respectively, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Expression of specific marker genes involved in lipid metabolism was detected by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and adipose tissues of C57 BL/6J mice, fed with high fat diet (HFD) and treated with Sfr3 and fenofibrate for 45 days.

RESULTS

The treatment with Sfr3 decreased lipid accumulation and caused apoptosis in adipocytes. In the HFD induced obese animals, serum and liver lipid levels were decreased and a significant decrease in body weight gain was observed dose dependently in 45 days treatment. Histopathological examination showed decrease in adipose mass and liver lipid accumulation. The effect of Sfr3 on the marker genes of adipocytes was significantly regulated at the treated doses both in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Sfr3 of Ichnocarpus frutescens is effective in the management of obesity through adipocyte apoptosis.