title: An experimental evaluation of the anti-atherogenic potential of the plant, Piper betle, and its active constitutent, eugenol, in rats fed an atherogenic diet.
abstract: Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for systemic atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular disease. Lipoperoxidation-mediated oxidative damage is believed to contribute strongly to the progression of atherogenesis. In the current investigation, putative anti-atherogenic and antioxidative properties of an ethanolic extract of Piper betle and of its active constituent, eugenol, were sought in an experimental animal model of chronic hypercholesterolemia. Atherogenic diet-fed rats that received either Piper betle extract orally (500mg/kg b.wt) or eugenol orally (5mg/kg b.wt) for 15days (commencing 30days after the atherogenic diet had been started) exhibited the following variations in different parameters, when compared to atherogenic diet-fed rats that received only saline: (1) significantly lower mean levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol in both serum and hepatic tissue samples; (2) lower mean serum levels of aspartate amino-transferase, alanine amino-transferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and lipid-metabolizing enzymes (lipoprotein lipase, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase; (3) significantly lower mean levels of enzymatic antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin E) and significantly higher mean levels of malondialdehyde in haemolysate and hepatic tissue samples. Histopathological findings suggested a protective effect of the Piper betle extract and a more pronounced protective effect of eugenol on the hepatic and aortic tissues of atherogenic diet-fed (presumed atherosclerotic) rats. These results strongly suggest that the Piper betle extract and its active constituent, eugenol, exhibit anti-atherogenic effects which may be due to their anti-oxidative properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620024 Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Karuppasamy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Venkadeswaran
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ophthalmology, Joseph Eye Hospital, Tiruchirappalli 620001, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Philip A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli 620024 Tamil Nadu, India. Electronic address: gerryarchup@yahoo.co.in.
authors.forename: Pitchairaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Geraldine
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D005054:Eugenol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D031721:Piper betle / Q000737:chemistry*; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D005054:Eugenol; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Antioxidant; Atherogenic diet; Atherosclerosis; Eugenol; Oxidative stress; Piper betle