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Ethnobotanical Leaflets 13: 702-08, 2009.
Effect of Berberis lycium Royle on Lipid Profile in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rabbits
Maqsood Ahmed1, Alamgeer1, Tanveer Sharif 2, Muhammad Zabta CH3 and Atif Akbar4
1Department of Pharmacy University of Sargodha, Sargodhsa, Pakistan 2Department of Pharmacy, G C University, Faisalabad 3Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan 4Department of Statistics Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan *Correspondjng author: Email:
Issued June 01, 2009
Abstract Berberis lycium Royle (B.l.R) commonly known as Ishkeen (Kashmal and Darbald) is widely used in folk medicines for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus. Experimental diabetes use to alter the lipid profile. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Berberis lycium root bark on various lipid profiles in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. Diabetes was induced by single intravenous injection of Alloxan (150 mg/kg).Oral administration of 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg crude powder of Berberis lycium root for four weeks resulted in significant reduction in total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipids (LDLs) levels. Berberis lycium treatment increased the levels of high density lipids (HDLs). Furthermore same doses stabilized the weight of diabetic rabbits. Thus our investigation clearly shows that crude powder of Berberis lycium Royle has antihyperlipidemic effect.
Key words: Berberis lycium Royle; root bark; lipid profile; diabetes.
Introduction Traditional herbs and plants have been used for the treatment of various diseases, Nadkarni (1954). Berberis lycium Royle is traditionally used medicinal plant for treating various diseases including diabetes mellitus particularly by the local inhabitants of Hamaliya region, (Muhammad et al., 2006). Induced diabetes use to alter the lipid profile in alloxanized diabetic rabbits (Wojtowicz et al., 2004, Maciejewski et al., 2001). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antihyperlipidemic effects of Berberis lycium in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. Berberis lycium Royle is a shrub which belongs to family Berberidaceae and is commonly known as Ishkeen (Local name in shina language). It is commonly found in Himalaya region of India and Pakistan (northern areas). Plants of Berberidaceae are having lot of medicinal uses and are included in British and Indian Pharmacopoeias, (Srivatava et al., 2006). One of the species called Berberis aristata is reported to be hepatoprotective, (Janbaz et al.,2000). Fruits of Berberis vulgaris have anticholinergic and anthistaminic effects, (Shamas et al., 1999). Berbamine is an alkaloid isolated from Berberis lycium has hypotensive action, (Khan et al., 1969).
Materials and Methods Plant material Berberis lycium cortical part of root was collected in the month of April,2007 from the shrubs, growing in village Shikyote District Gilgit of Hamaliya region. Plants were identified and authenticated by Dr. Bukhari, Department of Botany (Ex Director) Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. The plant root bark was dried in shade and powdered finely with a Chinese herbal grinder. Biochemical analysis The serum total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDLs and LDLs, were evaluated by enzymatic test kits (Randox). LDLs level was calculated by using following, (Fridewald et al.,1979) LDL= total cholesterol – HDL – (triglyceride/5). Animals Male albino rabbits belonging to the local strain (Oryctolagus cuniculus) with average weight 1.21 Kg and a range of 1.0-1.5 Kg were used. Treatment of Rabbits All animals were housed at the animal house of Department of Pharmacy Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan .Animals were housed in stainless cages under standard laboratory condition (light period 8.00 A.M. to 8.00P.M. 21±2oC, relative humidity 55% , green fodder (Medicago sativa) and water available ad labitum . Animals received human care. The study protocol was approved by the local ethical committee. Induction of diabetes and experimental design Rabbits were divided into three major experimental groups (normal control (a), diabetic control (b) and diabetic with Berberis lycium bark powder treatment). Experimental rabbits were further subdivided into two groups (c) Receiving 250 mg/kg body weight (d) 500 mg /kg body weight crude powder of root bark. At the start of the experiment the animals in the later two groups were injected intravenously with 150 mg/kg of 10% alloxan monohydrate (Sigma, USA) dissolved in isotonic saline to induce diabetes, (Wojtowicz et al., 2004). The control group was injected only with the same volume of isotonic saline as the diabetic groups received. Three days after alloxan injection induction of diabetes was confirmed by determining the blood glucose levels (Blood glucose >250 mg/dl). Effect of Berberis lycium Royle on lipid profile in alloxanized rabbits Rabbits were treated with 250 mg/kg body weight and 500 mg/kg body weight crude root powder for one month. Blood samples of all groups were taken at 0 day and 30th day and different lipid parameters were studied. Effect of Berberis lycium Royle on weight of rabbits To check the effect of Berberis lycium Royle on weight of alloxanized rabbits Weight of rabbits was measured at o day, 6th day and 30th day in different experimental groups
Statistical Analysis The data was expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). (p<0.05) was considered as significant.
Results and Discussion Hypolipidemic effects Cholesterol, Triglyceride and LDL values increased significantly (p<0.05) in diabetic rabbits, where as HDL values decreased significantly (p<0.05) in diabetic rabbits. Berberis lycium root bark powder treatment decreased the cholesterol, Triglyceride and LDL values and increased HDL values significantly (P<0.05) in diabetic treated rabbits. Lipid profile of normal, diabetic and treated diabetic rabbits is shown in (Table 1).
Table 1: Effect of Berberis lycium Royle root bark powder on plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, LDLs and HDLs in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits for 1 month. ________________________________________________________________________ Group Total cholesterol Triglyceride LDLs HDLs (mg/dl) (mg/dl) (mg/dl) (mg/dl) ________________________________________________________________________ Normala 44.6±4.17 53.6±2.80 5.88 ±0.12 28±3.14 Diabetic b 64.20±2.42 123.4±30.7 16.92 ±7.6 22.6±2.07 Diabetic treated 250 mg/kg c 51.21±2.88 * b 60.3 ±5.37** b 9.55 ±1.59* b 29.6±2.3 500 mg/kg d 49.5±2.60** b 58.2±18.2** b 7.06±2.93 * b 30.80±2.28* b _________________________________________________________________________ Values are expressed as Mean ± SD n=5 rabbits in each group a-d shows different groups and estaric indicate significant difference (*P < 0.05:**P < 0.01 ) compared to group b
Effect on weight of rabbits A significant decrease (P<0.05; P<0.001) in weights of diabetic rabbits was observed when the weights measured at 0 day, 6th day and 30th day were compared. While weights of treated diabetic rabbits receiving 250 mg/Kg and 500 mg/Kg body weight of Berberis lycium root bark powder were stabilized, when the weights of treated diabetic rabbits measured at 6th day and 30th day were compared. Weights of control, diabetic and treated groups are shown in (Table 2).
Table 2: Effect of Berberis lycium Royle root bark powder on weight in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits at 0, 6th and 30th day. _______________________________________________________________________ Group Weight (Kg) ______________________________________________________ At 0 day At 6th day At 30th day _______________________________________________________________________ Diabetic (b) 1.41± 0.8 1.23± 0.74* 1.04±0.65** Diabetic treated 250 mg/Kg (c) 1.25 ± 0.39 1.19±0.45* 1.19±0.12* 500 mg/Kg (d) 1.51 ± 0.14 1.49±0.98 1.43±0.52 _________________________________________________________________________ Values are expressed as Mean ± SD n=5 rabbits in each group a-d shows different groups and estaric in the same row indicate significant difference (*P<0.05; **P<0.01) compared to 0 day.
Discussion In the present study it was observed that crude powder of Berberis lycium root has anti-hyperlipidemic effect in alloxanized rabbits. Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia have been reported to occur in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits, (Wojtowicz et al. 2004; Maciejewski et al. 2001). These effects are in line with present study. Berberis lycium Royel root bark powder significantly reduced the total cholesterol and triglyceride and LDL of treated rabbits as compared to untreated diabetic rabbits. Diabetic patients are more prone to athermatous complications such as ischemic heart disease (Batteridge and Willams, 1997; Way et al., 2001). High-density lipoprotein levels are decreased in diabetic patients that ultimately lead to atheromatous disease, (Rang et al.1995). It was found that treatment with Berberis lycium root causes an increase in HDL and decrease in LDL levels that probably prevent the diabetic patients from atheromatous disease. Repeated administration of plant root bark powder thus had a beneficial effect on the hyperlipidemia associated with hyperglycemia. Berberis lycium is also reported to have antihyperlipidemic effect in normal broilers, (Chand et al.2007). Present findings of strong antihyperlipidemic effect in diabetic rabbits are in line with the previous findings. It was also observed that administration of crude powder of roots to alloxanized animals could not reverse the weights of diabetic animals to normal but it stabilized their weights. It was concluded that Berberis lycium root bark contains some active constituent that is responsible for its antihyperlipidemic effects in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits.
Conclusion The study demonstrate that Berberis lycium royle root bark powder contained anti hyperlipedemic activity in allaoxanized rabbits it decreased the elevated level of total cholestrole ,Triglicerides, LDL while it significantly increases the HDL level in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits.
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