INTRODUCTION:

Hyperlipedemia has been associated as a complication with several metabolic diseases, including Diabetic mellitus. Majority of the diabetic patients are obese and have dyslipidemia and have 2-5 times the risk of cardiovascular disease. Hyperlipidemic is metabolic complication of both clinical and experimental diabetes.¹ Low density lipoprotein in diabetic patient leads to abnormal metabolism and is associated with increase in very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion and impaired VLDL catabolism. Ultimately this leads to atherosclerotic plaque.² A number of known factors for coronary artery disease such as hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia are more common than in the general population. Patient with diabetic mellitus are more likely to develop microvascular and macrovascular complications than the non diabetic population. Dyslipidemia is a frequent complication of diabetic mellitus and is characterized by low level of high density lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL-C) and high level of low density lipoprotein- cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG). The currently used hyperlipidaemic drugs lack behind the desired properties such as efficacy and safety on long term use, cost and simplicity of administration. These factors fulfill condition for patient compliance.

Herbs are mines of medicinal agents and need for researchers to find efficacious, cheap and safe hypolipidaemic agents from among the natural products. There is no rational therapy available in western medicines as such for the cure of these diseases; usually supportive measures are practiced.³ T. lampas Dalz and Gibs^4,5 belongs to the family Malvaceae and its roots and fruits are used for treating gonorrhea, jaundices, syphilis,⁶ anti-microbial⁷and hepatoprotective activity⁸

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Plant material:

The plant parts were collected from Salem, Tamil Nadu India in the month of September 2005. The plant was identified and authenticated by the experts in the department of Botany Govt. Arts College, Salem Tamil Nadu India. A voucher specimen (TL-12) has been kept in our museum for future reference. The plant material was collected and shade dried at room temperature for 10 d and coarsely powdered with the help of a hand-grinding mill and the powder was passed through sieve No.60.

Preparation of the Extract:

The powdered material of root of T. lampas was extracted separately by cold maceration with water. After extraction, the extract was concentrated under reduced pressure. The dried extract was subjected to various chemical tests to detect the presence of different phytoconstituents like alkaloids, tannins, glycosides and flavonoids etc.

Animals:

Male albino rats of approximately same age, weighing about 140-180 g were used for the study. They were housed in polypropylene cages and fed with standard chow diet and water ad libitum. The animals were exposed to alternate cycle of 12 h of darkness and light each. The experimental protocols were subjected to the securitization of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee and were cleared by the same (IAEC NO: P.Cog-9/06).

Toxicity evaluation in mice:⁹

To determine acute toxicity of a single oral administration of the aqueous extract of T. lampas different doses (200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 mg/kg) were administrated to different groups of mice. Mortality and general behavior of the animals were observed periodically for 48 h. The parameters observed were grooming, hyperactivity, sedation, respiratory rate and convulsion.

Triton induced rats:¹⁰

Triton, a surfactant, was used to induce hyperlipidemia. Blood was evaluated for lipid levels after 24 hrs of Triton injection. Hyperlidemia was induced in all the groups except Group I by subcutaneous injection of Triton (200 mg/kg b.w). Rats were divided in to five groups. Group I, Normal control group of rats were given food and water, Group II (Un treated) hyperlidemic control group received only the vehicle. Group III were received gemfibrzil (Standard drug) 200 mg/kg, Group IV and V were received Triton and aqueous extract of T. lampas 300 and 600 mg/kg, respectively.

Table.1. Antihyperlipidemic Effect of aqueous extract of T. lampas on Triton induced rats.

Groups

Mg/kg

Total-C

(mg/dl)

Total

Triglycerides

(mg/dl)

HDl- C

(mg/dl)

LDL-C

(mg/dl)

VLDL-C

(mg/dl)

Normal

Control

90.88 ±

2.38

75.35 ±

1.62

36.9 ±

1.77

30.62 ±

1.32

18.83±

0.79

Triton

Control

200

135.9± 1.80

121.60±

1.81

31.87±

1.65

51.95 ±

1.75

30.33±

1.20

Triton+

Gemfi

brzil

200

92.25±

1.59**

76.05±

1.79**

36.03±

1.86**

32.58 ±

1.85**

21.83±

0.60**

Triton+

EELTP

300

99.12±

2.90**

88.91±

1.23**

32.02±

1.63**

38.68±

1.85**

27.83±

0.47**

Triton+

EELTP

600

95.3 ±

1.89**

80.52±

2.06**

33.13±

1.71**

35.72±

1.76**

24.66±

0.55**

** P < 0.001 Vs control :Values were expressed as mean SEM. The data were also analyzed by one way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s t- test

Statistical evaluation:¹¹

All the data are presented as mean ±SEM. The differences between group were evaluated by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Dunnette multiple comparisons test. P<0.01 was consider to be significant.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

In triton induced rats serum cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) levels were significantly higher when compared to those in normal rats, while the HDL levels were significantly decreased rats (36.03 ± 1.86) when compared to normal rats (36.9 ± 1.77). After the treatment with extract of roots of T. lampas at the doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg in the Triton induced rats, a significant reduction in serum cholesterol, TG, LDL, VLDL and significant increase in HDL (32.02 ± 1.63 and 33.13 ± 1.71) were compared to control and standard, respectively.

There is an increasing evidence that lipid peroxidation plays an important role in the premature development of atherosclerosis. The rise in blood glucose is accompanied by an increase in the serum cholesterol, TG, LDL, VLDL and decrease in HDL. The treatment with aqueous extract of T. lampas reduced cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and improved HDL in triton induced rats.

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Received on 12.08.2008 Modified on 22.08.2008

Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 1(4): Oct.-Dec. 2008;Page 533-534