Work

Anti-lipidemic actions of essential oil extracted from Ocimum sanctum L. leaves in rats fed with high cholesterol diet

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: Ocimum sanctum L. (OS) leaves have been shown to have a potential for lipid-lowering action. The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-hyperlipidaemic ability of the EO extracted from OS leaves in rats fed with a high cholesterol (HC) diet. EO of OS leaves was extracted using the hydrodistillation method and its chemical composition was further determined by GC-MS. The results showed that phenylpropanoid compounds (eugenol and methyl eugenol) were the major components of the EO. There were no significant differences in body weight gain, food intake, and heart weight in all groups of rats. The HC diet apparently raised the serum total cholesterol, LDL-C and atherogenic index without significant effect on serum triglyceride, whereas it decreased the HDL-C level. The EO significantly decreased serum total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglyceride and atherogenic index whereas no significant effect on HDL-C was observed. EO depressed a high level of liver total cholesterol and triglyceride whereas no significant effect on both lipids excreted in faeces was found. It can be concluded that the EO extracted from OS leaves contributes to a lipid-lowering action in HC rats. Its anti-hyperlipidaemic action is predominantly due to the suppression of liver lipid synthesis. Phenylpropanoid compounds, the main composition of EO are possibly responsible for the lipid-lowering effect.

Source: Journal of Applied Biomedicine

DOI: 10.32725/jab.2009.004

Authors: Thamolwan Suanarunsawat, Watcharaporn Devakul Na Ayutthaya, Thanapat Songsak, Jittraporn Rattanamahaphoom

Institution: Rangsit University

Language: English

Topic: Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants

Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Thailand Research Fund, Rangsit University