Ethnobotanical Leaflets 13: 702-08, 2009.

 

 

Effect of Berberis lycium Royle on Lipid Profile in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rabbits

 

Maqsood Ahmed1, Alamgeer1, Tanveer Sharif 2, Muhammad Zabta CH3  and Atif Akbar4

 

1Department of Pharmacy University of Sargodha, Sargodhsa, Pakistan

2Department of Pharmacy, G C University, Faisalabad

3Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan

4Department of Statistics Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan

*Correspondjng author:  Email: maqsood_mul@yahoo.com

 

Issued June 01, 2009

 

Abstract

Berberis lycium Royle (B.l.R) commonly known as Ishkeen (Kashmal and Darbald) is widely used in folk medicines for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus. Experimental diabetes use to alter the lipid profile. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Berberis lycium root bark on various lipid profiles in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. Diabetes was induced by single intravenous injection of Alloxan (150 mg/kg).Oral administration of 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg crude powder of Berberis lycium root for four weeks resulted in significant reduction in total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipids (LDLs) levels. Berberis lycium treatment increased the levels of high density lipids (HDLs). Furthermore same doses stabilized the weight of diabetic rabbits. Thus our investigation clearly shows that crude powder of Berberis lycium Royle has antihyperlipidemic effect. 

 

Key words: Berberis lycium Royle; root bark; lipid profile; diabetes.

 

Introduction

       Traditional herbs and plants have been used for the treatment of various diseases, Nadkarni (1954). Berberis lycium Royle is traditionally used medicinal plant for treating various diseases including diabetes mellitus particularly by the local inhabitants of Hamaliya region, (Muhammad et al., 2006). Induced diabetes use to alter the lipid profile in alloxanized diabetic rabbits (Wojtowicz et al., 2004, Maciejewski et al., 2001). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antihyperlipidemic effects of Berberis lycium in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits.

        Berberis lycium Royle is a shrub which belongs to family Berberidaceae and is commonly known as Ishkeen (Local name in shina language). It is commonly found in Himalaya region of India and Pakistan (northern areas). Plants of Berberidaceae are having lot of medicinal uses and are included in British and Indian Pharmacopoeias, (Srivatava et al., 2006). One of the species called Berberis aristata is reported to be hepatoprotective, (Janbaz et al.,2000). Fruits of Berberis vulgaris have anticholinergic and anthistaminic effects, (Shamas et al., 1999). Berbamine is an alkaloid isolated from Berberis lycium has hypotensive action, (Khan et al., 1969).

 

Materials and Methods

Plant material

       Berberis lycium cortical part of root was collected in the month of April,2007 from the shrubs, growing in village Shikyote District Gilgit of Hamaliya region. Plants were identified and authenticated by Dr. Bukhari, Department of Botany (Ex Director) Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. The plant root bark was dried in shade and powdered finely with a Chinese herbal grinder.

 Biochemical analysis

         The serum total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDLs and LDLs, were evaluated by enzymatic test kits (Randox).

LDLs level was calculated by using following, (Fridewald et al.,1979)

 LDL= total cholesterol – HDL – (triglyceride/5).

Animals

        Male albino rabbits belonging to the local strain (Oryctolagus cuniculus) with average weight 1.21 Kg and a range of 1.0-1.5 Kg were used.

Treatment of Rabbits 

        All animals were housed at the animal house of Department of Pharmacy Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan .Animals were housed in stainless cages under standard laboratory condition (light period 8.00 A.M. to 8.00P.M. 21±2oC, relative humidity 55% , green fodder (Medicago sativa) and water available ad labitum . Animals received human care. The study protocol was approved by the local ethical committee.

Induction of diabetes and experimental design

         Rabbits were divided into three major experimental groups (normal control (a), diabetic control (b) and diabetic with Berberis lycium bark powder treatment). Experimental rabbits were further subdivided into two groups (c) Receiving 250 mg/kg body weight (d) 500 mg /kg body weight crude powder of root bark. At the start of the experiment the animals in the later two groups were injected intravenously with 150 mg/kg of 10% alloxan monohydrate (Sigma, USA) dissolved in isotonic saline to induce diabetes, (Wojtowicz et al., 2004). The control group was injected only with the same volume of isotonic saline as the diabetic groups received. Three days after alloxan injection induction of diabetes was confirmed by determining the blood glucose levels (Blood glucose >250 mg/dl).

Effect of Berberis lycium Royle on lipid profile in alloxanized rabbits

          Rabbits were treated with 250 mg/kg body weight and 500 mg/kg body weight crude root powder for one month. Blood samples of all groups were taken at 0 day and 30th day and different lipid parameters were studied.

Effect of Berberis lycium Royle on weight of rabbits

       To check the effect of Berberis lycium Royle on weight of alloxanized rabbits Weight of rabbits was measured at o day, 6th day and 30th day in different experimental groups

 

Statistical Analysis

The data was expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). (p<0.05) was considered as significant.

 

 

Results and Discussion

Hypolipidemic effects

        Cholesterol, Triglyceride and LDL values increased significantly (p<0.05) in diabetic rabbits, where as HDL values decreased significantly (p<0.05) in diabetic rabbits. Berberis lycium root bark powder treatment decreased the cholesterol, Triglyceride and LDL values and increased HDL values significantly (P<0.05) in diabetic treated rabbits. Lipid profile of normal, diabetic and treated diabetic rabbits is shown in (Table 1).

 

Table 1: Effect of Berberis lycium Royle root bark powder on plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, LDLs and HDLs in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits for 1 month.

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 Group               Total cholesterol          Triglyceride                  LDLs                       HDLs

                                 (mg/dl)                      (mg/dl)                    (mg/dl)                     (mg/dl)

________________________________________________________________________

Normala              44.6±4.17                   53.6±2.80                 5.88 ±0.12             28±3.14

Diabetic b            64.20±2.42                 123.4±30.7              16.92 ±7.6              22.6±2.07

Diabetic treated

250 mg/kg c         51.21±2.88 * b            60.3 ±5.37** b          9.55 ±1.59* b         29.6±2.3   

500 mg/kg d         49.5±2.60** b            58.2±18.2** b           7.06±2.93 * b          30.80±2.28* b        

 _________________________________________________________________________

Values are expressed as Mean ± SD n=5 rabbits in each group a-d shows different groups and estaric indicate significant difference (*P < 0.05:**P < 0.01 ) compared to group b

 

Effect on weight of rabbits

       A significant decrease (P<0.05; P<0.001) in weights of diabetic rabbits was observed when the weights measured at 0 day, 6th day and 30th day were compared. While weights of treated diabetic rabbits  receiving 250 mg/Kg and 500 mg/Kg body weight of Berberis lycium root bark powder were stabilized, when the weights of treated diabetic rabbits measured at 6th  day and 30th day were compared. Weights of control, diabetic and treated groups are shown in (Table 2).

 

Table 2: Effect of Berberis lycium Royle root bark powder on weight in alloxan induced diabetic   rabbits at 0, 6th and 30th day.

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     Group                                             Weight (Kg)

                                   ______________________________________________________

                                    At 0 day                           At 6th day                   At 30th day

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Normal (a)                 1.34±0.32                           1.32±0.5                    1.33±0.2

Diabetic (b)                1.41± 0.8                            1.23± 0.74*               1.04±0.65**

Diabetic treated

  250 mg/Kg (c)          1.25 ± 0.39                         1.19±0.45*                 1.19±0.12*

  500 mg/Kg  (d)         1.51 ± 0.14                         1.49±0.98                  1.43±0.52                                               

_________________________________________________________________________

Values are expressed as Mean ± SD n=5 rabbits in each group a-d shows different groups and estaric in the same row indicate significant difference (*P<0.05; **P<0.01) compared to 0 day.

 

Discussion

         In the present study it was observed that crude powder of Berberis lycium root has anti-hyperlipidemic effect in alloxanized rabbits. Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia have been reported to occur in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits, (Wojtowicz et al. 2004; Maciejewski et al. 2001). These effects are in line with present study. Berberis lycium Royel root bark powder significantly reduced the total cholesterol and triglyceride and LDL of treated rabbits as compared to untreated diabetic rabbits. Diabetic patients are more prone to athermatous complications such as ischemic heart disease (Batteridge  and  Willams, 1997; Way et al., 2001). High-density lipoprotein levels are decreased in diabetic patients that ultimately lead to atheromatous disease, (Rang et al.1995). It was found that treatment with Berberis lycium root causes an increase in HDL and decrease in LDL levels that probably prevent the diabetic patients from atheromatous disease. Repeated administration of plant root bark powder thus had a beneficial effect on the hyperlipidemia associated with hyperglycemia. Berberis lycium is also reported to have antihyperlipidemic effect in normal broilers, (Chand et al.2007). Present findings of strong antihyperlipidemic effect in diabetic rabbits are in line with the previous findings. It was also observed that administration of crude powder of roots to alloxanized animals could not reverse the weights of diabetic animals to normal but it stabilized their weights. It was concluded that Berberis lycium root bark contains some active constituent that is responsible for its antihyperlipidemic effects in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits.

 

Conclusion 

        The study demonstrate that Berberis lycium royle root bark powder contained anti hyperlipedemic activity in allaoxanized rabbits it decreased the elevated level of total cholestrole ,Triglicerides, LDL while it significantly increases the HDL level in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits.       

                                                                                                    

References 

1.      Batteridge, J. and Willams, J.C.G (eds) 1997. Lipid disorders in diabetes mellitus. Text Book of Diabetes Blackwell  Science, London.

2.       Chand, N. Durrani, F.R. Qureshi M.S. and Durrani, Z 2007. Role of Berberis lycium in Reducing Serum Cholesterol in Broilers. Asian Aust J Anim  Sc  4 : 563-568.

3.       Fridewald, W.T.  Levy, R.I. and Sloane – Stanley, G.H  1979. Estimation of concentration of Low density cholesterol in plasma, without use of preparative ultracentrifuge. Clinc.Chem  18: 499-504.

4.       Rang, H.P.Dale, M.M. Ritter, J.M. and Moore, P.K. 2003. In Atherosclerosis and lipoprotein metabolism The Text Book of Pharmacology.

5.       Janbaz, K.H. and Gilani, A.H. 2000. Preventive and curative effect of Berbarine in hepatotoxic rodents. Fitoterapia 71: 25-33.

6.       Khan, I. Qayum, A. and Qureshi, Z. 1969. Hypotensive action of Berbamine,Life Sci 17: 993-1001.

7.       Laakso, M. 1995. Diabetic Epidemiology of diabetic dyslipidemia. Diabetes Rev  3: 408-410.

8.       Maciejewski, R. Rucinski, P. Burski, K. and Figura, T. 2001. Changes in glucose, cholesterol and serum lipid fraction levels in experimental diabetes. Ann Univ Mariae Curie Sklodowska  56: 363-368.

9.       Muhammad, W. Muhammad, A.U.S.  Rizawan,  A.Q. Iqbal, M.   Rabia, A. and Saeed, Y. 2006. Traditional uses of various plants of northern areas.  Acta Botanica Yunnanica  28: 535-542.

10.    Nadkarni, K.M. 1954.  In: Indian Materia medica 2nd ed.. Popular Book Depot, Bombay.

11.    Shamas, F. Ahmadiani, A. and Khosrokhavar, R. 1999. Anticholinergic and antihistaminic activity of Berberis fruit. J Ethanopharmaco 64:161-166.

12.    Srivatava, S. Vartika, R. Srivatava, M. and Rawat, A. 2006. Enviornment monitoring and Assessment  116: 315-320.

13.    Way, K.J. Kata, I.N. and King, G.L 2001. Protein Kinase C and the development of diabetic vascular complication. Diabet. Med  18: 945-950.

14.    Wojtowicz, Z. Wrona, W.  Kis, G  Blaszczak, M. and Solecka, A.  2004. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and High density lipoproteins (HDL) levels in rabbit during the course of experimental diabetes. Ann Univ Mariae Curie Sklodowska 59:258-264.