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Antidyslipidemic effect and antioxidant activity of anthraquinone derivatives from Rheum emodi rhizomes in dyslipidemic rats

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antidyslipidemic effect of ethanolic extract of Rheum emodi rhizomes and its constituents in Triton-WR-1339 and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced dyslipidemic rats. In preliminary screening, the ethanolic extract showed significant activity in Triton-treated rats. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethanolic extract resulted in the identification of four anthraquinone derivatives, viz. chrysophanol, emodin, chrysophanol 8-O-β-d-glucopyranoside and emodin 8-O-β-d-glucopyranoside as active constituents. All these compounds significantly reduced plasma lipid levels. The most active compound emodin showed significant lipid-lowering activity in the HFD-fed model. In addition, these compounds showed significant antioxidant activity. The effect of emodin on enzymes modulating lipid metabolism confirms and supports the efficiency of emodin as a potent antidyslipidemic agent.

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Abbreviations

CVD:

Cardiovascular diseases

HDL:

High density lipoprotein

HMG:

3-Hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl

LCAT:

Lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase

LDL:

Low density lipoprotein

LPL:

Lipoprotein lipase

PHLA:

Post heparin lipolytic activity

PL:

Phospholipids

TBARS:

Thio-barbituric acid reactive species

TC:

Total cholesterol

TG:

Triglycerides

VLDL:

Very low density lipoprotein

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Director CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow for excellent laboratory facilities, SAIF Department of CSIR-CDRI for spectral data and CSIR, New Delhi for providing financial support in the form of senior research fellowships.

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There is no conflict of interest among the authors.

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Correspondence to Vijai Lakshmi.

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Mishra, S.K., Tiwari, S., Shrivastava, A. et al. Antidyslipidemic effect and antioxidant activity of anthraquinone derivatives from Rheum emodi rhizomes in dyslipidemic rats. J Nat Med 68, 363–371 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-013-0810-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-013-0810-z

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