Evaluation of Antihyperlipidemic activity of leaves of Cassia tora

Iswarya Obilineni¹, Jangam Divya Latha², Kamireddy Srikala², Gummadi Asha³,

Marupilla Amulya³, Vaddeswarapu Rajani²

¹Assistant Professors, KVSR Siddhartha college of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.

²Assistant Professors, Nirmala College of Pharmacy, Atmakur, Andhra Pradesh.

³IV B Pharmacy Students, Nirmala College of Pharmacy, Atmakur, Andhra Pradesh.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: aishwarya.111188@gmail.com

ABSTRACT:

Aim: To evaluate the antihyperlipidemic activity of leaves of cassia tora Objective: Hyperlipidemia is a clinical condition causing lethal diseases like atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction etc that ultimately leads to death. Several works have been reported that the extracts of many plants have antihyperlipidemic activity. Cassia tora is used for a long time as a daily vegetable in many countries. It consists of phytochemical constituents like flavonoids which lowers blood cholesterol level. Materials and Methods: Materials used: Antihyperlipidemic activity of Cassia tora was screened by a model, Cholesterol diet induced hyperlipidemia. Marker enzymes like LDH, LDL, VLDL, total protein, total cholesterol, AST, ALP, ALT,SOD, Catalase, LPO and histopathology of myocardium and aorta carried out. Results: Flavonoids of leaves of Cassia tora treated group showed significant decrease in LDL-Cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, AST, ALT, ALP and increase in HDL cholesterol, albumin, total protein and further was concluded by histopathological studies. Conclusion: From result, it was concluded that flavonoid of leaves of Cassia tora shows antihyperlipidemic activity in the heart of rats.

KEYWORDS: Antihyperlipidemic, Hypercholesteremia, Cholesterol-diet, Atherosclerosis, Myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION:

Traditional medicines occupy an important place in the healthcare systems of developing countries. Due to their vast availability, lower price ranges¹, higher efficacy and safety² most of the people of developing countries are depending on traditional medicines. Traditional medicines believed to have better compatibility with the human body due to the presence of chemical constituents that are a part of the physiological functions of living flora³. Terminalia arjuna, Zingiber officinale, Phyllanthus niruri, Ginkgo biloba, Allium sativum, Commiphora mukul, Curcuma longa⁴, Erythrina variegate⁵, Murraya koenigii (curry leaf)⁶ , Camellia sinensi⁷, Solanum nigrum fruit⁸

Sidarhomboidea roxb⁹ etc are some examples of herbs which are medicinally active against hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia is a silent killer¹⁰ faced by many societies and it is one of the major risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, acute infarction of the myocardium¹¹ Due to raised cholesterol levels, cholesterol plaques are developed in the artery walls leading to atherosclerosis¹² Despite the introduction of many antihyperlipidemic drugs, significant percentage of people are suffering with hyperlipidemia and heart diseases. Hyperlipidemia is the major cause of atherogenic risk; both genetic disorder and lifestyle contribute to the dyslipidemias around the world¹³.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder characterised by high cholesterol levels. Heterozygous FH is a common genetic disorder, occurring in 1:500 people in most countries; homozygous FH is much rarer, occurring in 1 in a million births¹⁴. Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death worldwide. Hyperlipidemia in combination with Diabetes is more frequent¹⁵. It is known that raised cholesterol levels leads to cardiovascular diseases¹⁶. Abnormalities in plasma lipoprotein and derangement in lipid metabolism rank as the most firmly established risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications like myocardial infarction¹⁷. The American Heart Association have identified the primary risk factor associated with the atherosclerosis is the elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in blood. One of the major causes of hyperlipidemia is diabetes mellitus where various metabolic derangements occurs stimulating lipolysis in the adipose tissue¹⁸. Therefore the treatment of hyperlipidemia to be one of the major approach to decelerate the atherogenesis¹⁹. Certain hypolipidemic drugs are available to decrease hyperlipidemia which is the leading cause of heart attack²⁰. The main aim of treatment in hyperlipidemia patients is to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disorders²¹. It is necessary to concentrate on the treatment of hyperlipidemia in early stage itself.²²

Cassia tora is well known medicinal plant commonly found in India and other tropical countries²³ Various medicinal properties have been attributed to this plant in the traditional system of Indian medicine. The leaves of Cassia tora mainly show the presence of flavonoids.^24,25. Flavonoids are known to have extensive profitable bioactive benefits, including anti-viral/bacterial, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-aging properties²⁶. Flavonoids are known to scavenge the reactive oxygen species²⁷ at three different levels, prevention, interception and repair²⁷, hence known to have anti-oxidant activity. It is known that flavonoids plays important role in the treatment of various diseases like leukaemia, sepsis, asthma, sclerosis, atherosclerosis, psoriasis, allergic rhinitis, ileitis/colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc²⁹.

Collection and preparation of plant extract:

The leaves of Cassia tora were washed with water to remove the adhering mud and debris. They were dried in the shade at room temperature. The material was coarsely powdered by using blender. The powder was stored in an airtight container and protected from light. 100gm of powder was subjected to successive extractions in a soxhlet extractor using methyl alcohol. The extract obtained was concentrated in a rotary shaker to get constant weight.

Evaluation of antihyperlipidemic activity by cholesterol diet induced method:

Animals used:

Healthy male rats of Wistar strain weighing 150-220g were included in this study. Animals were housed in polypropylene cages on clean paddy bedding. Animals were maintained under controlled temperature at 25℃ ± 2℃ with 12hr light/dark cycle. All animals were provided with standard diet and water adlibitum. The rats were divided in to five groups of six animals each.

Method:

Atherogenic diet was suspended in coconut oil 25%, cholesterol 1% and cholic acid 0.5%. The atherogenic diet and the treatment were given simultaneously for 26 days. On the 27^th day, blood was collected by retro orbital puncture for the analysis of serum levels of total proteins, albumin, creatinine, glucose, urea, oxaloacetic transaminase and pyruvic transaminase, total cholesterol, high density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins, very low density lipoproteins and triglycerides body weight, food efficiency, liver weight and liver fat of rats. Stastical analysis was carried out by one way ANOVA method.

Group I: Normal control

Group II: Hyperlipidemic control

Group II: Animals are treated with standard drug (Atorvastatin)³⁰

Group IV: Animals are treated with test drug (100mg/kg)

Group V: Animals are treated with test drug (200mg/kg)

RESULTS:

Table.1. Effect of flavonoids of leaves of Cassia tora on plasma total cholesterol, total protein, TG, LDL, albumin, VLDL, HDL, AST, ALT levels in cholesterol diet (CD) induced hypercholesterolemia in rats.

Treatment group	TG	Total proteins	Albumin	TC	LDL	VLDL	HDL	AST	ALT
Normal control	72.98 ± 0.34***	6.053 ± 0.190*	4.16 ± 0.15*	205.1± 1.62**	180.2± 1.56**	14.5 ± 0.06***	51.57± 0.64**	17.6 ± 1.72***	13.94± 2.02***
HCC	122.1 ± 1.081***	3.190 ± 0.276***	2.05 ± 0.15***	265.5± 1.12***	235.6± 1.13***	24.4± 0.21***	28.07± 1.74***	49.01± 2.34***	54.94± 1.38***
Atorvastatin 10mg/kg	79.55 ± 1.135	6.96 ± 0.25***	3.51 ± 0.11	217.5± 4.23	191.2± 4.07	15.9 ± 0.22	46.7 ± 0.89	29.9 ± 1.44	31.16± 0.64
Cassia tora 100mg/kg	94.70 ± 1.293***	5.69 ± 0.22**	2.93 ± 0.03*	247.0± 1.16***	220.5± 1.16***	18.9 ± 0.26***	37.73± 0.49***	41.92± 1.28***	51.30± 0.72***
Cassia tora 200mg/kg	86.20 ± 0.942***	5.39 ± 0.12***	4.15 ± 0.21*	207.5 ± 1.71*	179. 3 ± 1.53**	17.24± 0.18***	54.88± 0.62***	18.37± 1.83***	23.16± 1.00***

Data was analysed using one way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s ttest.  ***P<0.01, *P<0.05, *P<0.05, (n=6)

DISCUSSION:

As Cassia tora is rich in phytochemical constituents like flavonoids, polyphenols which are known to act as antioxidants. It has been well established that nutrition plays an important role in the etiology of hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases.

Hypercholesterolemia involves heterogeneous disorders of lipid metabolism characterized by elevated levels of plasma total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein derived cholesterol. Although several factors such as diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol, age, family history, hypertension and lifestyle plays a significant role in causing heart failure.

Cholesterol diet induced hypercholesterolemia in rats:

In this study, rats fed with High cholesterol diet containing 700ml peanut oil and 300ml lard oil, 100g cholesterol, 30g propyl-thio-uracil and 100g cholic acid was given orally 1ml/100g body weight. Cholic acid acts by increasing cholesterol absorption by its emulsifying property and concomitant suppression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity that results in decreased cholesterol excretion. The use of propyl-thio-uracil is to create hypothyroidism. Cholesterol feeding has been often used to elevate serum or tissue cholesterol levels to assess the hypercholesterolemia related metabolic disturbances in animals. Cholesterol feeding alone however does not affect the serum triglyceride level, it is assumed that a high level of saturated fat in addition to cholesterol is required to elevate serum triglyceride levels in rat. The high cholesterol diet was given for 26 days along with methanolic extract of leaves of Cassia tora.

Cholesterol diet treated group showed significant increase in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (265.5± 1.120, 122.1±1.081, 235.6±1.133) levels respectively whereas HDL (28.07±1.74) level significant decrease when compared to the control TG, TC, LDL (72.98± 0.34, 205.1±1.628, 180.2±1.56) group.

On the 27^th day, Atorvastatin treated group showed significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (217±4.24, 79.55±1.13, 191.2±4.07) levels whereas HDL (46.79±0.894) level was significantly increased when compared to the CD treated group.

On 27^th day, rats treated with pure compounds of leaves of Cassia tora (100mg/kg) treated group showed significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (247.0±1.16, 94.70±1.29, 220.5±1.160) levels respectively whereas HDL (37.73±0.49) level showed significant increase when compared to the CD (28.07± 1.74) treated group. And the results were comparable with that of standard drug Atorvastatin.

On 27^th day, rats treated with high CD and flavonoids of leaves of Cassia tora (200mg/kg) treated group showed significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (207.5±1.79, 86.2±0.94, 179.3±1.53) levels respectively whereas HDL (54.88±0.627) level was significantly increased when compared to the cholesterol diet treated group. And the results were comparable with that of standard drug Atorvastatin.

Histopathological study was done there was increase in the size of the tunica intima in all CD treated groups in 10^th and 21^st day aorta of all rats. There was reduction in the thickness of the wall of aorta in flavonoids of leaves of Cassia tora (100gm/kg, 200mg/kg).

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

Hypercholesteremia was induced in rats by giving coconut oil 25%, cholesterol 1% and cholic acid 0.5%. The atherogenic diet and the treatment were given simultaneously for 26 days. On the 27^th day, blood was collected by retro orbital puncture for the analysis of serum triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, VLDL and glucose. From the experimental studies carried out, flavonoids of leaves of Cassia tora at two different administered doses (100mg/kg and 200mg/kg) showed dose dependant Antihyperlipidemic activity. The higher dose 200mg/kg showed significant activity compared to lower dose 100mg/kg.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

Authors do not have a conflict of interest.

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Received on 15.10.2020            Modified on 10.04.2021

Accepted on 03.07.2021           © RJPT All right reserved

Research J. Pharm.and Tech 2022; 15(2):741-744.

DOI: 10.52711/0974-360X.2022.00123