title: Cardioprotective potential of a lanosteryl triterpene from Protorhus longifolia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current rapid increase in the incidence of cardiovascular events indicates a need for the discovery of more effective cardioprotective agents.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the cardioprotective potential of a lanosteryl triterpene from Protorhus longifolia (Benrh.) Engl. stem bark.
  
  
  METHODS
  Spectroscopic data analysis was used to confirm the structure of methyl-3β-hydroxylanosta-9, 24-dien-21-oate (RA-3). The cardioprotective effect of RA-3 in isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury in hyperlipidemic rats was investigated. Rats were divided into the normal diet (ND) fed and high fat diet (HFD) fed groups. The HFD rats were further subdivided into three groups. The experimental group was orally administered with RA-3 (100 mg/kg) for 15 days. The rats were then injected with isoproterenol (85 mg/kg) to induce myocardial injury. At the end of the experiment, hearts and blood tissues were collected and used for histology and biochemical assays, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RA-3 exhibited a cardioprotective effect as it minimized myocardial injury in HFD rats. Few lesions of acute hyaline degeneration and reduced fat deposition were observed in the heart tissue of the triterpene pretreated rats. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was decreased in the blood of the RA-3 pretreated rats (44.1 mU/mL) compared to the untreated group (64.8 mU/mL). Increased glutathione (GSH) content and catalase (CAT) activity along with lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the triterpene pretreated animals (120.8 nmol/μL) than in the non-treated HFD fed rats (143.6 nmol/μL) were also observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cardioprotective effect exhibited by RA-3 indicates its potential use in the management of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and related health problems.
authors: a Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology , University of Zululand , KwaDlangezwa , South Africa.
authors: Rebamang A
authors: RA
authors: Mosa
authors: a Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology , University of Zululand , KwaDlangezwa , South Africa.
authors: Nomadlozi B
authors: NB
authors: Hlophe
authors: a Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology , University of Zululand , KwaDlangezwa , South Africa.
authors: Namani T
authors: NT
authors: Ngema
authors: a Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology , University of Zululand , KwaDlangezwa , South Africa.
authors: Dambudzo
authors: D
authors: Penduka
authors: b Natural Products Research Unit , Lagos State University , Ojo , Lagos , Nigeria.
authors: Oladipupo A
authors: OA
authors: Lawal
authors: a Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology , University of Zululand , KwaDlangezwa , South Africa.
authors: Andy R
authors: AR
authors: Opoku
mesh_terms: D027926:Anacardiaceae; D000818:Animals; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D007810:Lanosterol / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018547:Plant Stems; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014315:Triterpenes; D007810:Lanosterol
keywords: Cardioprotective effect; antioxidant; hyperlipidemia