Crude Ethanol Extract of Pithecellobium ellipticum as a Potential Lipid‐Lowering Treatment for Hypercholesterolaemia

Abstract

If left untreated, hypercholesterolaemia can lead to atherosclerosis, given time. Plants from the Fabaceae family have shown the ability to significantly suppress atherosclerosis progression. We selected four extracts from Pithecellobium ellipticum, from the Fabaceae family, to be screened in a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) assay. The ethanol extract, at a concentration of 500 μg/mL, exhibited superior inhibition properties over the other extracts by demonstrating 80.9% inhibition, while 0.223 μg/mL of pravastatin (control) showed 78.1% inhibition towards enzymatic activity. These findings led to the fractionation of the ethanol extract using ethyl acetate : methanol (95 : 5), gradually increasing polarity and produced seven fractions (1A to 7A). Fraction 7A at 150 μg/mL emerged as being the most promising bioactive fraction with 78.7% inhibition. FRAP, beta carotene, and DPPH assays supported the findings from the ethanol extract as it exhibited good overall antioxidant activity. The antioxidant properties have been said to reduce free radicals that are able to oxidize lipoproteins which are the cause of atherosclerosis. Phytochemical screenings revealed the presence of terpenoid, steroid, flavonoid, and phenolic compounds as the responsible group of compound(s), working individually or synergistically, within the extract to prevent binding of HMG-CoA to HMG-CoA reductase.

Wheat Bran Extract Mimics Statin Like Action in Hyperlipidemic Rabbits: An Experimental Study

“…Atorvastatin has been known to exercise its lipid-lowering effect by competitive inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase, which is the key enzyme for cholesterol biosynthesis. Studies have revealed that terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds are responsible to prevent binding of HMG-CoA to HMG-CoA reductase, either by working individually or synergistically within the plant extract [21]. Our results of wheat bran extract showing similar effect as that of statin in hyperlipidemic rabbits are in agreement with the study by Reddy [22].…”

The Impact of Sourdough Fermentation on Non‐Nutritive Compounds and Antioxidant Activities of Flours from Different Phaseolus Vulgaris L. Genotypes

“…Furthermore, our recent studies demonstrated a positive effect of fermented Lady Joy bean flour on modulating antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes through the Nrf‐2 pathway, inhibiting NF‐kB activation and reducing endoplasmic reticulum stress in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes as in human microvascular endothelial cells and endothelial progenitor cells under various oxidative insults (Gabriele et al., ; Lucchesi et al., ; La Marca et al., ). Additionally, similar to the crude extract of plants belonging to the Fabaceae family and mung bean powder containing cholesterol‐lowering agents (Wong et al., ), also our fermented Lady Joy flour could be able to counteract atherosclerosis progression. Further analysis will be focused on the assessment of lipid‐lowering compounds in fermented Lady Joy flour.…”

“…. plants belonging to the Fabaceae family and mung bean powder containing cholesterol-lowering agents (Wong et al, 2014), also our fermented Lady Joy flour could be able to counteract atherosclerosis progression. Further analysis will be focused on the assessment of lipid-lowering compounds in fermented Lady Joy flour.…”