Hypocholesterolemic Effect of Enicostemmaaxillare L., on Fructose Induced Heart Disease in Swiss Albino Rats

Abstract

The antioxidant effect of the ethanolic extract of Enicostemmaaxillare, an indigenous ayurvedic medicinal plant used in India, was studied in rats with fructose-induced cardiac diseases. Rats were divided into four groups: Groups 1 received Normal feed with water. Groups 2 received Fructose treated (The oral administration of 10g of fructose/ 100ml of distilledv water/kg body weight for 21 days)_, Groups 3 received Fructose and low dose of Enicostemmaaxillare (150mg/ kg B.wt.)].Groups 4 received Fructose and high dose of Enicostemmaaxillare treated [oral administration of fructose (10g/ 100ml distilled /kg b. wt) and Enicostemmaaxillare  (250mg/ kg B.wt.)]. For 21 days. The results showed significantly elevated level of serum and
tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and significantly lowered activities/levels of antioxidants such as, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione in fructose -treated rats compared with control rats. Administration of ethanolic extract of Enicostemmaaxillare to rats with fructose -induced liver injury significantly decreased the levels of serum and tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and significantly elevated the activities of catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione in the tissues compared with unsupplemented fructose -treated rats. These findings suggest that ethanolic extract of Enicostemmaaxillare has a modulatory effect on fructose -induced hepatotoxicity in rats.