Antihyperlipidemic Effect of Different Fractions Obtained from Teucrium polium Hydroalcoholic Extract in Rats

Abstract

Background:This study was aimed to screen the antihyperlipidemic effect of different fractions of Teucrium polium to obtain the most efficient herbal fraction for isolation of bioactive constituents responsible for hypolipidemic activity.Methods:Chloroform, butanol, and aqueous fractions were obtained from hydroalcoholic extract of T. polium aerial parts using partitioning process. To induce hyperlipidemia, dexamethasone (Dex) was injected 10 mg/kg/day (s.c.) for 8 days. In the test groups, animals received 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg of T. polium hydroalcoholic extract and different fractions orally simultaneously with Dex. Serum lipid profile and hepatic marker enzymes were evaluated using biochemical kits.Results:All treatments, especially chloroform and aqueous fractions, reversed serum lipid markers in hyperlipidemic rats. Maximum reduction in triglyceride (60.2%, P < 0.001) and maximum elevation in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (35.0%, P < 0.01) was observed for chloroform fraction. Maximum cholesterol-lowering effect (29.0%, P < 0.001) and maximum reduction in low-density lipoprotein were found for hydroalcoholic extract (72.9%, P < 0.001). Aqueous fraction improved all lipid markers at the highest dose. Butanol fraction decreased triglyceride at the lowest dose (43.9%, P < 0.001) and increased HDL (33%, P < 0.05) at the highest dose. There was a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels in all tested groups compared to normal group (P < 0.001).Conclusions:This study showed strong antihyperlipidemic effect of various fractions derived from hydroalcoholic extract of T. polium. Chloroform and aqueous fractions may be worthy candidates for isolation of bioactive hypolipidemic constituents. However, possible hepatotoxicity should be considered for clinical application.

Teucrium Polium Plant Extract Provokes Substantial Cytotoxicity at the Early Stage of Embryonic Development

“…Thus, we herein report that TP extract can cause a dramatic toxic effect on the embryo at 3 days of incubation, since ~95% of our TP-exposed embryos die after 3 days of treatment; therefore, it is clear that TP extract severely affects the survival probability of the exposed embryos in comparison with their controls. These data are consistent with several investigations related to the toxic effect of TP extract in animal models [17][18][19]. Moreover, our study revealed that TP extract could harm the chicken embryo and inhibit angiogenesis of CAM by ~40% after 2-4 days of exposure.…”

“…The outcome of TP extract on women' s health is not well understood, especially during pregnancy. However, a few-existing data regarding the effect of TP extract on human health indicate that TP could be harmful during the early stage of normal fetal development, especially since it can induce hepatotoxicity in humans as well as in animal models [11,12,[17][18][19]. This is particularly important since pregnant women, especially in the Mediterranean region, might consume this medicinal plant without being aware of its adverse effects on their pregnancy.…”

Therapeutics studies and biological properties of Teucrium polium (Lamiaceae)

“…39 The leaves are slightly peppery and were commonly used to prepare tea and to spice up salads and goat cheeses. 39 Several studies have demonstrated certain pharmacological effects of T. polium as an antioxidant agent, 24 antibacterial, 40 antinociceptive, 41 antispasmodic, 42 antidiabetic, 43 diuretic, 44 hypolipidemic, 45 antifungal, 46 and cytotoxic. 47…”

Phytochemical analysis, antioxidant, and antihyperlipidemic activities of Teucrium takoumitense

“…For example, a hydroalcoholic extract of T. polium from Iran was tested on dexamethasone-induced hyperlipidemic rats. 51 The results of this investigation demonstrated that T. polium had a potent antihyperlipidemic effect by reducing the levels of TG, TC, and LDL-C and by increasing HDL-C levels. In addition, the hypolipidemic impact of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats in Palestinian Teucrium leucocladum was also studied by Bassalat et al.…”