Hypolipidemic effect of aqueous leaf extract of carmona microphylla G Don

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the hypolipidemic effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Carmona microphylla (Lam.) G. Don. (CAE) in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The lipid-lowering effect of CAE was investigated in oleic acid (OA)-induced steatosis in HepG2 liver cells, as well as in high-fat diet (HFD)- and triton WR-1339 (TRI)-induced hyperlipidemic mice. The levels of intracellular, serum and/or hepatic total cholesterol (TC); triglyceride (TG); low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c); high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c); hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by oil-red O staining and appropriate kits. Results: Treatment with CAE inhibited lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells and reduced the elevated levels of serum TC, TG and LDL-c as well as hepatic TC and TG in hyperlipidemic mice induced by HFD. CAE administration also significantly decreased arteriosclerosis index (AI) and LDL-c/HDL-c ratio, but improved oxidative status as revealed by increased hepatic SOD activity and decreased MDA level. The lipid ameliorating and antioxidative effects of CAE (600 mg/kg) were comparable to those of the standard lipid-lowering drug, sivastatin (5 mg/kg). Conclusion: These results suggest that C. microphylla aqueous extract (CAE) protects against hyperlipidemia induced by HFD in mice and may find therapeutic application in hyperlipidemic patients.