title: Alpinumisoflavone and abyssinone V 4'-methylether derived from Erythrina lysistemon (Fabaceae) promote HDL-cholesterol synthesis and prevent cholesterol gallstone formation in ovariectomized rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Erythrina lysistemon was found to improve lipid profile in ovariectomized rats. Alpinumisoflavone (AIF) and abyssinone V 4'-methylether (AME) derived from this plant induced analogous effects on lipid profile and decreased atherogenic risks. To highlight the molecular mechanism of action of these natural products, we evaluated their effects on the expression of some estrogen-sensitive genes associated with cholesterol synthesis (Esr1 and Apoa1) and cholesterol clearance (Ldlr, Scarb1 and Cyp7a1).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ovariectomized rats were subcutaneously treated for three consecutive days with either compound at the daily dose of 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg body weight (BW). Animals were sacrificed thereafter and their liver was collected. The mRNA of genes of interest was analysed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both compounds downregulated the mRNA expression of Esr1, a gene associated with cholesterogenesis and cholesterol gallstone formation. AME leaned the Apoa1/Scarb1 balance in favour of Apoa1, an effect promoting high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol formation. It also upregulated the mRNA expression of Ldlr at 1 mg/kg/BW per day (25%) and 10 mg/kg/BW per day (133.17%), an effect favouring the clearance of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol. Both compounds may also promote the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids as they upregulated Cyp7a1 mRNA expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AIF and AME atheroprotective effects may result from their ability to upregulate mechanisms promoting HDL-cholesterol and bile acid formation.
authors: Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
authors: Marie A
authors: MA
authors: Mvondo
authors: Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Dieudonné
authors: D
authors: Njamen
authors: Molecular Cell Physiology and Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology, University of Technology, Dresden, Germany.
authors: Georg
authors: G
authors: Kretzschmar
authors: Molecular Cell Physiology and Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology, University of Technology, Dresden, Germany.
authors: Manuela
authors: M
authors: Imma Bader
authors: Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Tanee Fomum
authors: Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: Wandji
authors: Molecular Cell Physiology and Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology, University of Technology, Dresden, Germany.
authors: Günter
authors: G
authors: Vollmer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004895:Erythrina / Q000737:chemistry*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D042882:Gallstones / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D051122:Scavenger Receptors, Class B / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D004967:Estrogens; D005419:Flavonoids; D007529:Isoflavones; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011973:Receptors, LDL; C495125:Scarb1 protein, rat; D051122:Scavenger Receptors, Class B; C000154:alpinumisoflavone; C056679:abyssinone V; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Erythrina lysistemon; abyssinone V 4′-methylether; alpinumisoflavone; atheroprotective effects; cholesterol gallstone