Lipid lowering and anti-atherosclerotic properties of <i>Tinospora crispa</i> aqueous extract on high-cholesterol diet-induced hyperlipidemic rabbits

Abstract

This study was aimed to investigate the hypocholestrolemic and anti-atherosclerotic properties of Tinospora crispa aqueous extract (TCAE) on rabbits for 10  weeks. The hyperlipidemic rabbits were induced and the rabbit were given different concentration of TCAE (200, 450 and 600 mg/kg). Results from lipid analysis  show that the level of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and LDL-C on the hyperlipidemic rabbits were reduced with the treatment of TCAE while HDL level  was elevated. Through plasma analysis, the activity of gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphates (ALP) were also reduced with the treatment of  TCAE compared to hyperlipidemia group. All group of rabbits tested with TCAE again had significantly higher (p < 0.05) total  antioxidant status (TAS), glutathione  peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Among the concentrations of TCAE tested, medium dose showed more potent effect in reducing blood  serum TC, TG and LDL-C levels and increasing HDL-C level compared to low and high dosages counterparts. No foam cell formation was visible in aorta of rabbits treated with TCAE in dose dependent manner. However, there was visible foam cell formation in the aorta of hyperlipidemia group. In conclusion, this study suggests that supplementation of 450 mg/kg of T. crispa extract would be able to reduce or retard the progression of atherosclerotic plaque development induced by dietary cholesterol.

Key words: Hypocholesterolemia, Tinospora crispa, anti-atherosclerotic properties, cardiovascular diseases.