Efficacy study of the bioactive fraction (F-3) of Acorus calamus in hyperlipidemia

Abstract

Objective : To investigate the effect of the bioactive F-3 fraction\nfrom the rhizomes of Acorus calamus in experimentally induced\nhyperlipidemic rats. Materials and Methods : Doses of 10, 20 and 40\nmg/kg of the bioactive fraction were evaluated for its effect on the\nlipid profile and fibrinogen levels in diet-induced hyperlipidemia.\nAdditionally, apoprotein A1 and apoprotein B levels were estimated\nusing immunoturbidimetric assays. Furthermore, the bioactive F-3\nfraction was investigated for its mechanism of action by estimating\nHMG-CoA reductase activity and fecal cholesterol levels. Besides\nevaluating the free radical-scavenging activity using the Diphenyl\npicryl hydrazyl (DPPH) method, the high performance thin layer\nchromatography (HPTLC) fingerprint of the bioactive fraction was also\ndeveloped. Results : At doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg, the bioactive\nfraction significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the total cholesterol\n(TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. The bioactive F-3\nfraction also attenuated the raised plasma fibrinogen levels. Fecal\ncholesterol excretion was significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced by the\nF-3 fraction while 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA\nreductase) activity was depressed. Furthermore, the F-3 fraction also\npossessed an appreciable free radical scavenging activity. Conclusion\n: The results of the present study revealed that the bioactive F-3\nfraction demonstrated its cholesterol-reducing effect by increasing\nfecal cholesterol excretion and decreasing cholesterol biosynthesis in\nthe liver. Additionally, the effects on fibrinogen levels and free\nradicals indicate that the bioactive F-3 fraction could have a\npotentially beneficial effect in atherosclerosis associated with\nhyperlipidemia.