Effects of Alcoholic Extracts of Bangladeshi Mangrove Acanthus ilicifolius Linn. (Acanthaceae) Leaf and Stem on Atherogenic Model of Wistar Albino Rats

Abstract

Acanthus ilicifolius Linn. (Acanthaceae) is a popular mangrove ethnomedicinal plant that cures several ailments, including asthma, diabetes, cancer, and many others. Our experiment was aimed at evaluating the anti-atherogenic effect of A. ilicifolius (leaf and stem) on a high-fat diet-induced atherogenic rat model. Atherosclerosis was developed in 12 weeks. Treatment with the standard drug (3 mg/kg b.w./day, p.o. of Simvastatin), separate doses of methanolic and ethanolic extracts of A. ilicifolius leaf (250 and 500 mg/kg b.w./day, p.o.), and stem (200 and 400 mg/kg b.w./day, p.o.) was subsequently conducted for additional 15 days. The anti-atherogenic effect was evaluated by estimating the change in body weight, systolic blood pressure, and lipid profile. Histopathology of aorta, liver, and kidney of atherogenic models was done for further evaluation. The antioxidant effect of different extracts was performed via DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay using ascorbic acid as standard. The anticoagulant effect was determined after 15 days of treatment with the same doses of the plant extracts and the standard Warfarin (2 mg/kg b.w./day, p.o.). When compared with atherogenic control, treatment with A. ilicifolius significantly reduced ( p < 0.01) body weight, systolic blood pressure, and serum lipid levels while it elevated HDL (high-density lipoprotein) level in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, bleeding and clotting time was significantly decreased ( p < 0.01) under the treatment of plant extracts. The histopathological data showed considerable improvement in tissue morphology after treatment. Our study evidenced that the alcoholic extracts of A. ilicifolius leaf and stem have anti-atherogenic properties and may be recommended as a potential herbal remedy for preventing cardiovascular diseases.

Molecularly imprinted polymer-specific solid-phase extraction for the determination of 4-hydroxy-2(3H)benzoxazolone isolated from Acanthus ilicifolius Linnaeus using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

“…The detected amounts of HBOA in the roots, stems, and leaves were 1,226, 557, and 205 µg/g, respectively. A. ilicifolius Linnaeus is one of the medicinal mangrove plants used as a traditional drug in China and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region (1,36). Meanwhile, 2-benzoxazolone alkaloids are important active components (7).…”

“…It grows in the tropical coastal areas of Southeast Asia. Root application has a long history of usage as an herbal remedy, mainly for treating acute and chronic hepatitis, stomach ache, cough, and asthma (1,2). However, owing to the complex active ingredients of this plant, many problems and critical challenges are encountered in the extraction, isolation, and characterization of active ingredients (3).…”

Comparative analysis of flavonoids, polyphenols and volatiles in roots, stems and leaves of five mangroves

“…The secondary metabolites of mangroves are unique and novel with diverse bioactive functions ( Das, Samantaray & Patra, 2016 ), which enable them to endure biotic and abiotic stresses and adapt to harsh environmental conditions ( Dahibhate, Saddhe & Kumar, 2019 ; Sivaramakrishnan et al, 2019 ). In addition, mangrove plants are rich in flavonoids, steroids, terpenes, alkaloids, and other chemical compounds ( Dahibhate, Saddhe & Kumar, 2019 ; Karim et al, 2021 ). These bioactive and natural compounds may be used as precursors for pharmaceuticals and industrial raw materials ( Dahibhate, Saddhe & Kumar, 2019 ).…”

“…These bioactive and natural compounds may be used as precursors for pharmaceuticals and industrial raw materials ( Dahibhate, Saddhe & Kumar, 2019 ). As one of the important medicinal plants, mangrove plants are widely used as traditional (ethnic) in the world ( Karim et al, 2021 ). Mangrove plants have been reported to contain active chemical ingredients useful for medicinal purposes in the past few decades.…”