Ethnobotanical Leaflets 13: 332-37. 2009.

Preliminary Studies into the Hypolipidemic Activity of Various Parts of Capparis decidua

Neelkamal Chahlia

MDPG college, Sriganganagar (Rajasthan,India)345001

Phone� no. +919413795002

Issued 15 February 2009

Abstract

�� The effect of various extracts (50% ethanolic) of Capparis decidua on lipid profile of streptozotocin diabetic rats was studied. The extract was administered to the diabetic models for 30days. The extract produced a significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent decrease in the levels of total cholesterol (TC), Triacylglycerol (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL cholesterol), with a significant increase in the level High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C).The extracts of Capparis deciduas� prove to have a hypolipidemic potential.

Key words: Capparis decidua, diabetes, hypolipidemic.

Introduction

�� The use of medicinal plants in the management of various illnesses is due to their phytochemical constituents and dates back to antiquity (Yakuba et al., 2007)[1]. However, during the last decade, an increase in the use of medicinal plants has been observed in metropolitan areas of developed countries (Hamack et al., 2001)[2].

�� Heart diseases have been implicated as leading causes of death for both men & women of all racial and ethnic groups. The elevation of serum total cholesterol & low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol have been implicated as a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease (Edijala et al., 2005)[4].A number of plants have been used traditionally in the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases.

�� Capparis decidua belongs to the family Capparidaceae. It is commonly found in the dry regions in India , Pakistan, Egypt and Tropical Africa. It�s a struggling, glabrous shrub. The bark has an acrid, sharp, hot taste; analgesic, diaphoretic, alexeteric, laxative, anthelminthic; good in cough and asthma, ulcers and boils, vomiting, piles and all inflammations (Ayurveda) The bark, under phytochemical investigations revealed the presence of n-pentacosane, n-tricontanol and -sitaosterol besides a water-soluble alkaloid, 1-stachydrine (Yadav et al, 1997)[5]. Besides these, six new phytoconstituents have been isolated and characterized from the root bark, which are capparisterol, Capparideciduasterol, Capparisditerpenol, in aliphatic hydroxyketone and capparisditerpenyl ester (Gupta and Ali, 1998)[6].

Materials and methods

�� The chosen plant, Capparis decidua was identified and selected by the experts of Botany Department, J.N.V. University, Jodhpur. For the present study various parts of the Capparis� decidua i.e., fruits, flowers and barks were collected in and around Jodhpur(India).

The collected plant material was shade dried and subjected to Soxhlet extraction with 50% ethyl alcohol. Ethanol was separated under reduced pressure to obtain a brownish crude extract. Extract was stored in sterile glass containers at � 4^oC.

�� After getting approval from the Institutional Animal Ethical Committee, albino rats, Rattus norvegicus of Sprague Dawley strain, weighing about 150 to 200 gm were selected from our inbred colony and were used for the experiment. They were housed in polypropylene cages measuring 12�x10�x8� under controlled temperature conditions (25 � 2oC) with 12:12 hrs light and dark cycle. Animals were fed on balanced diet of soaked maize, wheat and chiken beans supplemented with multivitamins and water ad libitum.

�� Animals were regularly checked throughout the investigation for any infection and if found infected, the animals were isolated and treated. A total check of cleanliness of the cages and general environment of animal house was kept. Animals were treated intermittently with antibiotic and antihelminthic suspensions as a prophylactic measure.

�� Diabetes was induced in rats that had been fasted for 24 hours by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (Sigma chemicals Co., St. Louis, MO, U.S.A.) freshly dissolved in citrate buffer (pH 4.5) immediately before use. Streptozotocin was given at a dose of 65 mg / Kg body weight (Theodorou et al., 1980)[7]. The streptozotocin treated animals were given 5% glucose solution for 24 hours following streptozotocin injection to prevent initial drug induced hypoglycaemic mortality (Andallu and Varadacharyulu, 2002)[8].

�� The experimental models were administered various plant extracts for a period of 30 days. The control and experimental groups consisted of 8-10 animals each. The study consisted of the following groups:

Group 1: Control or Intact: They received drug vehicle only i.e. normal saline water (2 ml / kg body weight/day).

Group 2: Diabetic control

Group 3: Diabetic + Capparis decidua bark extract treatment

Group 4: Diabetic + Capparis decidua flower extract treatment

Group 5: Diabetic + Capparis decidua fruit extract treatment

�� The acute toxicity test (LD50) of the extract was determined according to the OCED test guidelines No.420 (Organization for Economic Co-operation and development).

The various extracts of Capparis decidua were prepared for oral administration by dissolving it in normal saline. The extract was fed at an effective dose of 500 mg / kg body weight.

Twenty four hours after the last administration, the animals were anaesthetized with chloroform vapor and dissected. Whole blood was obtained by cardiac puncture from each rats and collected into sample bottles. The serum and tissue samples (liver, heart and adrenal gland) were kept�� at - 20^oC until assayed for Biochemical parameters.

�� Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and High density Lipo-protein (HDL) were measured by enzymatic colorimetric method using Randox kits. The concentration of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was calculated by the formula of Friedwald et al. (1972)[9]. Frozen tissues were analyzed for quantitative estimation. Cholesterol was estimated in liver, heart muscle and adrenal gland by method of Zaltkis et al., 1953[10].

�� All the values were expressed in terms of mean value � standard error. The different groups were compared among each other using student �t� test (Ipstein and Poly, 1970)[11]. The results were analyzed for statistical significance using ANOVA test.

Results and discussion

�� The aim of the present study was to test the effect of the Capparis decidua extracts on serum & tissue cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. It has been previously reported that Capparis decidua exhibited a hypoglycaemic and antioxidant activity in STZ rats (Gaind et al., 1969)[12]. Administration of� Capparis decidua extract to diabetic animals normalizes blood glucose concentration and reduces triglyceride levels The results demonstrated that the ethanolic extracts of� Capparis decidua� induced a significant decrease of plasma cholesterol levels in STZ-diabetic rats. Some studies have reported a similar lipidemic-lowering activity of some medicinal plants (Ram et al., 1997 [13]and Sharma et al., 1997[14]).

�� There was a significant decrease in HDL-cholesterol and a significant increase in the levels of LDL, VLDL, total Cholesterol and triglycerides in diabetic rats when compared to normal rats (Table1).Administration of the ethanolic extracts restored the elevated levels of serum lipids to normal.

�� The ethanolic extracts of C.decidua produced a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol of the extract treated group compared to diabetic control. The reduction was more pronounced in bark and fruit extract. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in the levels of HDL-cholesterol as compared to diabetic control.

�� Induction of diabetes in normal rats resulted in an increase in cholesterol content of liver, heart and adrenal (table2). As reported earlier by Mutalik et al., 2005[15]. The elevated levels of cholesterol in the diabetic control group were significantly lowered in 30 days treatment group of Capparis decidua extracts. Similar results were obtained by Ananthan et al., 2003[16].

�� Hyperlipidemia has been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis (Kaplan, 1989)[17].

�� The underlying mechanism of the lipidaemic-lowering activity of Capparis decidua could be the inhibition of lipid absorption due to the presence of saponins and tanins in the ethanolic extract (Goyal and Grewal, 2003)[18]; hence used as hypocholesterolemic. It may operate through increased fecal excretion of cholesterol as well as bile acids (Agarwal and Chavan, 1988)[19].

�� Oral administration of saponins from some medicinal plants, significantly reduce triglycerides and cholesterol levels in rat. The usage of diet with high saponins contents is also suggested to reduce heart diseases (Oakenfull, 1981)[20].
�� HDL functions in the transport of cholesterol away from the peripheral tissues to the liver, thus preventing the genesis of atherosclerosis. The observed significant increase in the level of HDL, further points to the cardiac protective activity of the extracts.

�� In the present study, there was a significant reduction in the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL cholesterol. Further investigations are warranted to identify the hypolipidemic active principles and elucidate their mechanism of action.

References

[1]Yakubu, M.T.,Akanji, M.A. and Oladiji, A.T. (2007).Male sexual dysfunction and methods used in assessing medicinal plants with aphrodisiac potentials.Pharmacog.Rev.,1(1):49-56.

[2] Harnack, L.J., Rydell S.A. and Stang, J. (2001). Prevalence of use of herbal products by adults in the Minneapolis/St paul, Minn, metropolitan area.MayoClin.Proceedings, 76(7):688-694.

[3] Edijala, J.K.,Asagba,S.O., Eriyamremu, G.E., Atomatofa,U,(2005).:Comparative effects of garden egg fruit,oat and apple on serum lipid profile in rats fed on a high cholesterol diet. Pak.J.Nutr.,4:245-249.

[4] Yadav, P., Sarkar, S. and Bhatnagar, D. (1997): Action of Capparis decidua against alloxan-induced oxidative stress and diabetes in rat tissues. Pharmacol Res. 36(3): 221-228.

[5] Gupta, J. and Ali, M. (1998): Phytoconsitituents of Capparis decidua root barks. J Medicinal Aromatic plant sci. 20: 683-689.

[6] Theodorou, N. A., Vrbova, H., Tyhurst, M. and Howell, S. L. (1980): Management of intestinal amoebiasis by an indigenous drug Kantaki Karanja (Caesalpinia crista L.). Diabetologia. 18: 313-318.

[7] Andallu, B. and Varadacharyulu, N. Ch. (2002): Control of hyperglycemia and retardation of cataract by mulberry (Morus indica L.) leaves in streptozotocin diabetic rats. Ind. J. Exp. Bio. 40: 791-795.

[8] Friedwald, W.T., Levy, R.T. and Frederickson, D.S., (1972). Estimation of the concentration of� low� lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma without use of preparative ultracentrifuge. Clin. Chem., 18: 499-802.

[9] Zaltkis, A., Zak, B. and Boyle, A.J. (1953): A new method for the direct determination of serum cholesterol. J. Lab. Clin. Med. 41: 486-492.

[10] Ipstein, J. and Poly, F. (1970): In: Banchroft�s introduction to biostatstics II Ed. (Harper International) p. 44-64.

[11] K. N. Gaind, T.R.Juneja and P.C.Jain (1969):. Anthelmintic and Purgative Activity of Capparis decidua Edgew. Indian J. Hosp.Pharm. July-August, 153-155.

[12] Ram A, Lauria P, Gupta R, Kumar P, Sharma VN.(1997): Hypocholesterolemic effects of Terminalia arjuna tree bark. J Ethnopharmacol.; 55:165�9.

[13] Sharma SR, Dwivedi SK, Swarup D.(1997):Hypoglycaemic, antihyperglycaemic andhypolipidemic activities of Caesalpinia sylvestreseeds in rats. J Ethnopharmacol.; 58: 39�44.

[14] Mutalik, S., Chetana, M., Sulochana, B., Devi, P.U., Udupa, N. (2005): Effect of Dianex, a herbal formulation on experimentally induced diabetes mellitus Phytother. 19(5): 409-415.

[15] Ananthan, R., Latha, M., Ramkumar, K.M., Pari, L., Baskar, C. and NarmathaBai V. (2003): Effect of Gymnema montanum leaves on serum and tissue lipids in alloxan diabetic rats. Expr Diabesity Res. 4(3): 183-189.

[16] Kaplan, N.M.(1989):The deadly quarter; Upper body weight,glucose intolerance hypertriglyceridemia and hypertension. Acta Int. Med., 149: 1514-1515.

[17]�� Goyal,R.and Grewal, R.B.(2003): The influence of Teent (C.decidua) on human plasma triglycerides,� total lipids and phospholipids.Nutr. Health. 17(1): 71-76.

[18] Agarwal, V. and Chavan, B.M. (1988.) :Plant Foods Hum. Nutr. 38 (2):189-197.

[19] Oakenfull, D.,1981. Saponins in food. Food Chem. 6:19�40.

Table 1: Showing� the� effect of the different crude extracts of� Capparis decidua on serum cholesteroland triglyceride� levels in fasting normoglycaemic and STZ induced hyperglycaemic rats (MEAN OF 5 VALUES � SEM).

Treatment groups

Cholesterol

(mg/dl)

Triglycerides

(mg/dl)

HDL

(mg/dl)

LDL

(mg/dl)

VLDL

(mg/dl)

Intact Control

(Group1)

89.36

�0.432

66.68

�0.912

59.6

�0.45

78.2

�0.19

21.8

�0.36

Diabetic Control

(Group 2)

201.50^c

�0.58

149.20^c

�0.56

14.9^c

�0.29

144^c

�0.67

47.8^c

�0.30

�Diabetic + C. decidua bark extract treatment (Group 3)

96.10^a,f

�0.89

76.70^a,f

�0.35

56.46^a,g

�0.22

85.84^a,f

�0.22

22.1^d,f

�0.32

Diabetic + C. decidua flower� extract treatment (Group 4)

125.4^b,e

�0.67

80.63^a,f

�0.42

46.02^b,g

�0.30

126.42^b,e

�0.72

34.26^a,f

�0.39

Diabetic + C. decidua fruit extract treatment (Group 5)

98.00^a,f

�0.34

76.20^a,f

�0.72

44.2^b,g

�0.19

92.6^a,f

�1.28

22.9^d,f

�0.33

Group 2, 3, 4 and 5 were compared with Group1�� Group 3, 4 and 5 were compared with Group2

P 0.05 �� = a�� P 0.05 �� = e��

P 0.01�� = b�� P 0.01 �� = f��

P 0.001�� = c�� P 0.001 �� = g��

Non-significant�� = d�� Non-significant�� = h

Table 2:� Tissue biochemistry of 30 days treatment of various extracts of Capparis Decidua in albino rats (Type 1 Diabetes) (MEAN OF 5 VALUES � SEM).

Treatment groups

�� Cholesterol��

�� (mg/gm)

Liver

Heart

Adrenal

Intact Control

(Group1)

13.82

� 0.37

6.49

� 0.16

24.06

� 0.66

Diabetic Control

�(Group 2)

27.46^c

� 0.41

8.6 ^c

� 0.28

� 31.24 ^c

�� 0.76

Diabetic + C. decidua bark extract treatment (Group 3)

14.36 ^d,g

� 0.22

8.09 ^b,h

� 0.46

�� 24.02 ^d,g

� 0.39

Diabetic + C. decidua flower extract treatment (Group 4)

13.93 ^d,g

� 0.09

7.15 ^d,f

� 0.18

�� 23.01 ^d,g

� 0.29

Diabetic + C. decidua fruit extract treatment (Group 5)

13.81 ^d,g

� 0.17

7.09 ^d,f

� 0.37

�� 24.25 ^d,g

� 0.76

Group 2, 3, 4 and 5 were compared with Group1�� Group 3, 4 and 5 were compared with Group2

P 0.05 �� = a�� P 0.05 �� = e��

P 0.01�� = b� �� P 0.01 �� = f��

P 0.001�� = c� �� P 0.001 �� = g��

Non-significant� �� = d�� Non-significant�� = h