Int J Pharm Pharm Sci, Vol 9, Issue 7, 59-65Original Article

 

ANTIDYSLIPIDEMIA AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF ANDROGRAPHOLIDE COMPOUND FROM SAMBILOTO (ANDROGRAPHIS PANICULATA) HERB

NI KADEK WARDITIANI*, NI MADE PITRI SUSANTI*, COKORDA ISTRI SRI ARISANTI*, NI PUTU RIKA DHARMA PUTRI*, I MADE AGUS GELGEL WIRASUTA*

*Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia 80361
Email: kadektia@unud.ac.id

Received:23 Feb 2017 Revised and Accepted: 19 May 2017


ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the antidyslipidemic and antioxidant activity of andrographolide (AND) compound from Sambiloto (Andrographis paniculata) herb. The antidyslipidemic activity could be described by lowering TC (total cholesterol), TG (triglyceride), and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) level in the blood and by increasing HDL (high-density lipoprotein) level in the blood. The antioxidant activity could be described by inhibiting the ox-LDL (oxidized low-density lipoprotein) formation.

Methods: AND was separated from the sambiloto ethanolic extract. Atherosclerosis in rats was induced by rich fat food (5% yolk, 10% lard), 1% calcium and 20.000 IU vitamin D3 for 90 d. The rats were treated with AND compound on the 61st day for 30 d. On the 90th day, the blood of rats had been collected, and its blood vessel was also extracted. Antidyslipidemic activity was measured by estimating the level of TC, TG, LDL and HDL in the blood. Antioxidant activity was measured by calculating the ox-LDL concentration in blood and histopathology parameter.

Results: 18 mg/kg BW AND could reduce the level TC, TG, and LDL in blood, and could increase HDL blood level significantly (p<0.05). This compound can also significantly inhibit LDL oxidation (p<0.05), and the histopathology result showed that this compound could protect the vessel from adhesive lipid plaques.

Conclusion: AND compound from sambiloto herb showed the antidyslipidemic and antioxidant effect in atherogenic rats.

Keywords: Andrographolide, Antidyslipidemic, Antioxidant, Atherosclerosis, Sambiloto Herb


INTRODUCTION

Sambiloto is one of traditional plant medicine that has been used widely by Indonesian people due to its various pharmacology effects such as anti-cancer, anti-influenza, anti-inflammatory, anti-malaria, anti-viral, anti-hepatotoxic [1]. Sambiloto or king bitter is not only used by Indonesian people but also people in another country like Indian, Pakistan, Taiwan and China to treat many diseases like a common cold, liver disorder, colic pain and bowel problem in children [2, 3].

This plant contains some secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, terpenes, glycoside, saponin and tannin. AND is one of a compound that is contained in the sambiloto plant. AND is classified as diterpene lactone as a major content in this plant. AND is abundantly contained in its leaf and purified Andrographis paniculata extract [4].

Dyslipidemia is an abnormal condition in which TC, TG, and LDL level increase in the blood. Otherwise, the HDL level decreases in blood. Excess of TC in the blood will pile up in vessel’s wall. Gradually, this condition could trigger atherosclerosis, conditions that make the arteries narrow and the blood flow is disrupted [5]. With high LDL level in blood for a long term, LDL will be able to infiltrate and will be trapped in the blood vessel wall. LDL which penetrates in blood vessel wall will lead up to some process series (e. g., LDL oxidation, monocyte migration, macrophage uptake of modified LDL, foam cells, fatty streaks, etc.). These will develop into a fibrous plaque inside the intima wall. Atherosclerosis is thickening and hardening process of arterial blood vessels that progress progressively as a result of cholesterol clumps in the blood vessels and due to the inflammatory response [6]. It is known that oxidized LDL plays a major role in fatty plaques formation in the arteries. Allegedly oxidized LDL triggers atherosclerosis through mechanisms that cause inflammatory and immunological dysregulation of lipid complexes and foam cell formation. There are four mechanisms involved in that process, i.e., a) endothelial dysfunction, b) foam cell formation, c) migration and proliferation of SMCs, d) induce platelet adhesion and aggregation [7]. The main pathophysiologic LDL is to deliver cholesterol to the blood vessels’ smooth muscle cells (CMC) and macrophages, which will form the foam cells in the development of atherosclerosis.

Based on Martha et al. (2008), the rabbit will have atherosclerosis after being fed with atherogenic diet for 60 d [8]. The atherogenic diet consists of 2 g of cholesterol, 8 g of saturated fat and 100 mg of calcium that were mixed with a commercial diet. High-fat diet could induce LDL to increase and systemic oxidative stress [23]. Also, atherosclerosis develops in the rats with very high vitamin D3 supplementation together with atherogenic diet [9].

The objective of this study was to observe the antidyslipidemic and antioxidant activity by AND compound from Sambiloto, which this study did not exist yet. This study describes the ability of AND in preventing atherosclerosis in rats by antioxidant activity as an inhibitor of oxLDL, antidyslipidemic, and to repair rat’s aorta morphology. The antidyslipidemic and inhibition ox-LDL ability of AND will prevent and inhibit severity of atherosclerosis condition that is indicated by the improvement of rat’s aorta morphology which is the novelty of this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chemicals and reagents

20 mg Atorvastatin, a drug containing atorvastatin (20 mg, excipient: lactose) was used, Cholesterol assay kit (DiaSys Diagnostic System), Trigliserida assay kit (DiaSys Diagnostic System), HDL-precipitant (DiaSys Diagnostic System), LDL-precipitant (DiaSys Diagnostic System), Rat Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein (OxLDL ELISA Kit) were purchased from Genetika Science, Ethanol 96%, chloroform, methanol p. a, silica gel powder were purchased from Kurniajaya Multisentosa, vitamin D3 was obtained from DSM.

Plant material

Sambiloto was obtained from Girimulyo village, Nanggulan area, Kulonprogo regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This plant was identified and authenticated by a botanist at the Pharmaceutical Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia voucher BF/143/Ident/Det/VII. The whole plant, except roots, was used in the experiment. The plant is dried by drying and then reducing it to powder size with a blender.

Animals for experiment

Wistar male albino rats, aged one month, 160±20 g of weight, maintained under controlled condition, were used in the experiment. The rats were fed with standard diet and given drink ad libitum. Ethical Clearance of the animal’s handling was approved by the Faculty of Veterinary, Udayana University no: 240/KE-PH-Lit-1/V/2016.

Extraction and separation AND compound from sambiloto

Dried powder of Sambiloto was macerated in 96% ethanol for 24 h, filtered, and its filtrate was then re-macerated three times. The macerate was then evaporated in a rotary evaporator to produce concentrated product. This extract is mixed with silica powder before extraction using chloroform organic solvent soxhletation. The process will end if the chloroform organic solvent became clear. The mixed silica powder and the extract are dissolved with warm methanol organic solvent. AND compound was found through the recrystallization process. The AND truth was checked by AND compound melting point check.

Induction of atherosclerosis and administration of extract

Twenty Wistar male albino rats were divided into four groups. Animals were then grouped as following:

-Grup A is AND group, rats were fed the atherogenic diet containing 15% pig fat, 10% yolk, 1% calcium, and vitamin D3 (20,000 IU weekly) for 90 d and received 18 mg/kg BW AND orally start from the 60th days.

-Group B is atorvastatin group, rats were fed the atherogenic diet containing 15% pig fat, 10% yolk, 1% calcium, and vitamin D3 (20,000 IU weekly) for 90 d and received 7.2 mg/kg BW atorvastatin orally start from the 60th days

-Group C is atherogenic group, rats were fed the atherogenic diet containing 15% pig fat, 10% yolk, 1% calcium, and vitamin D3 (20,000 IU weekly) for 90 d and received 10 ml/kg BW CMC-Na 0.01% orally start from the 60th days

-Group D is a normal group, rats were fed normal diet.

A blood sample was collected from retro-orbital vena. Serum was removed for determination of the lipid blood level (TC, TG, LDL, and HDL) and ox-LDL level. The rats were then sacrificed, and their aortas were prepared for histopathological observation.

Lipid levels in the blood

Lipid levels in the blood serum of rats were measured using spectrophotometry. Reagents were added to the rat serum, incubation, and measurement.

Histopathology

All rats were sacrificed, and their aortas were isolated for histological preparation. The aorta samples were fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution, and their slides were prepared. The slide preparations (6-8 µm thickness) were stained with hematoxylin/eosin. Each slide was scored based on the aorta conditions. The scores ranged from 0–4 with the following criteria: 0 normal condition; 1 if elastic fibres thickening was found; 2 if elastic fibres fragmentation, some foam cells, and fibrosis were found; 3 if smooth muscle proliferation was found, and 4 if plaque ulceration or plaque lipid calcification was found [10].

Fig. 1: Morphological structure of aorta in rats. 0 = No lesions (normal condition), 100x magnification; 1 = widening of the first interlamellar, 250 x magnification; 2 = fragmentation of elastic lamellae with numerous foam cells and fibrosis, 250x magnification; 3 = proliferation of smooth muscle cells, 400 x magnification; 4 = ulcerated atherosclerotic, 250 x magnification [10]

Ox-LDL measured

Ox-LDL concentration in blood was measured by ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Rats’ serum was separated from its whole blood. The principle of this method was caused by antigen and antibody interaction with the enzyme as a marker. This enzyme would make the color change. This enzyme would help the reaction of antigen and antibody. Antigen and antibody reaction could be detected by the intensity of the color. Quantification of ox-LDL concentration would be known by a linear regression equation. This equation was made by using ox-LDL standard measurement.

RESULTS

Lipid profile of rats

TC, TG and LDL blood level was increasing due to atherogenic diet for 60 d. At the same time, HDL blood level was decreasing due to atherogenic diet for 60 d (fig. 2). 18 mg/kg BW AND and 7.2 mg/kg BW atorvastatin had been fed for the next 30 d. The effect of AND could significantly decrease lipid profile of TG, TC and LDL compared to the atherogenic group (p<0.05) but not significantly different with normal group (p>0.05). AND could also significantly increase HDL level compared to the atherogenic group (p<0.05) and has the same result with normal group (p>0.05) (fig. 3).

Fig. 2: Blood lipid level of rats after fed with atherogenic diet for 60 d (*(P<0.05) significantly different with normal rats)

 

Fig. 3: Blood lipid level of rats after fed with atherogenic diet for 60 d and continuing with combination atherogenic diet+AND and atherogenic diet+Atorvastatin (*(P<0.05) significantly different with normal rats, ◊ significantly different with atherogenic rats)

Antioxidant activity

The result showed that administration of AND for four weeks to the rats (which were fed with atherosclerotic diet) could significantly decrease ox-LDL concentration in the blood when compared to the atherogenic group. On the 1st week, the ox-LDL concentration of AND group was as high as the atherogenic group. The ox-LDL concentration of AND group in the 4th week was lower than the ox-LDL concentration of AND group in the previous week. If AND and atherosclerosis group were compared on the 4th week, the ox-LDL concentration was significantly different. We can conclude that AND had antioxidant property by preventing LDL oxidation. The ox-LDL concentration from atorvastatin group in the 4th week was lower than the ox-LDL concentration of atorvastatin group in the previous week. If atorvastatin and atherosclerosis group were compared on the 4th week, the ox-LDL concentration was significantly different. If AND and atorvastatin group were compared on the 4th week, the ox-LDL concentration was not significantly different.

Normal rats 8.94±1.04 7.58±1.76 8.48±1.72 7.14±1.23
Atherogenic rats 24.12±1.28* 23.18±2.38* 28.90±4.01* 27.47±2.30*
Atorvastatin rats 22.51±2.22* 23.05±2.38* 21.08±2.10* 7.28±1.10
AND rats 22.20±1.52* 31.41±2.07* 20.36±3.39* 8.13±2.08

Fig. 4: Ox-LDL concentration (mean±SD) each week for one month for AND rats, atorvastatin rats, atherogenic rats and normal rats (*(P<0.05) significantly different with normal rats)

Morphological structure of aorta’s rats

Aorta’ slide was made every week for one month. Each group of the rats was killed, and the aorta’s rat was observed. From the morphological structure of aorta’s rat, atherosclerosis was scored as follows: on 4 point: 0, normal; 1, widening of elastic fibers with few foam cells; 2, fragmentation of elastic lamellae with numerous foam cells and fibrosis; 3, smooth muscle cells proliferation, medial lipid infiltration and fibrosis; 4, lipid-calcic plaque or ulcerated plaque [10].

Table 1: Distribution of aortic atherosclerosis scores at D90 in two groups of rat receiving atherogenic diet (n = 4)

Lesions scores A1 A2 A3 A4 B1 B2 B3 B4 C1 C2 C3 C4 D1 D2 D3 D4
0 - - 1 3 - - - 2 - - - - 3 4 3 3
1 1 3 3 1 1 1 2 2 2 - - - - - 1 1
2 3 1 - - 2 1 1 - - 1 1 1 - - - -
3 - - - - 1 2 1 - 2 2 1 1 - - - -
4 - - - - - - - - 1 2 2 - - - -

A1, A2, A3, A4 is morphological structure of aorta’s AND rats fed atherogenic diet for 2 mo and continuing with AND for 1 w, 2 w, 3 w and 4 w; B1, B2, B3, B4 is morphological structure of aorta’s atorvastatin rats fed atherogenic diet for 2 mo and continuing with atorvastatin for 1 w, 2 w, 3 w and 4 w; C1, C2, C3, C4 is morphological structure of aorta’s rats fed atherogenic diet for 9th week, 10th week, 11th week, 12th week; D1, D2, D3, D4 is morphological structure of aorta’s rats fed normal diet for 9th week, 10th week, 11th week, 12th week.

The rats (n=4) from each group were sacrificed every week to observe the morphological structure of the aortas. From the lesions, it showed that AND could help chance severity aortic atherosclerosis. The score varied from group A1 until group A4. The aorta morphology of group A1 showed that one aorta had a widening of elastic fibers with few foam cells (score 1) and three aortas had the proliferation of smooth muscle cells (score 3) (fig. 5 A1). AND administration for four weeks could repair aorta condition. Group A4’ aorta morphology showed that three aortas became normal (score 0) and one aorta still had a widening of the first interlamellar (score 1) (fig. 5 A4). Atorvastatin administration could also help changing the severity of aortic atherosclerosis. The score also varied from group B1 until group B4. The aorta morphology of group B1 showed that one aorta had a widening of elastic fibers with few foam cells (score 1), two aortas had fragmentation of elastic lamellae with numerous foam cells and fibrosis (score 2), and one aorta had the proliferation of smooth muscle cells (score 3) (fig. 5 B1). Atorvastatin administration for four weeks could improve aorta condition. Group B4’ aorta morphology showed that two aortas became normal (score 0) and two aortas still had a widening of the first interlamellar (score 1) (fig. 5 B4). Contrarily, the morphological structure of atherogenic rats was getting worse week by week.

Fig. 5: Morphological structure of aorta in albino Wistar male rats 40x. A1, A2, A3, A4 is morphological structure of aorta’s AND rats fed atherogenic diet for 2 mo and continuing with AND for 1 w, 2 w, 3 w and 4 w; B1, B2, B3, B4 is morphological structure of aorta’s atorvastatin rats fed atherogenic diet for 2 mo and continuing with atorvastatin for 1 w, 2 w, 3 w and 4 w; C1, C2, C3, C4 is morphological structure of aorta’s rats fed atherogenic diet for 9th week, 10th week, 11th week, 12th week; D1, D2, D3, D4 is morphological structure of aorta’s rats fed regular diet for 9th week, 10th week, 11th week, 12th week. Black circle (O) = score 1; green circle (O) = score 2; red circle (O) = score 3; blue circle (O) = score 4

DISSCUSION

AND compound had been successfully separated by the recrystallization method. AND compounds’ melting point was also tested to ensure the accuracy of the compound. Melting point result of AND was 229 °C. Based on the literature, melting point of AND was 228 °C-230 °C [11].

Atherogenic diet administration (15% pig fat, 10% yolk, 1% calcium, and 20,000 IU vitamin D3 wly) for 60 d in rats could cause a significant difference of lipid profile compared to normal rats (p<0.05). Unsaturated fat contained in lard was 25% higher than the chicken fat and 1, 2% higher than the cow fat [12]. Therefore, food which was combined with lard could increase TC and LDL and also could decrease HDL. The result showed that rats’ profile lipid was different between normal group rat and the other groups. Lipid profile of TG, TC, and LDL was higher and significantly different with normal group (p<0.05) but HDL was lower and also significantly different with normal group (p<0.05) (fig. 2). Atherosclerosis could be induced by yolk because it contained 20 mg/gr cholesterol [13].

AND could lower TG, TC, and LDL due to by sambiloto water extract (probably contain AND compound) which had the ability as in vitro HMG co-A reductase inhibitor [22]. AND was capable of doing an in silico inhibition enzyme HMG co-A reductase, so TC level in the blood could be decreased as well. AND could induce LCAT enzyme activity (Lecithin Cholesterol Acyl-Transferase) that would make HDL increased [14]. Andrographis paniculata purified extract could significantly decrease lipid profile of TG, TC, and LDL compared to the atherogenic group and could also significantly increase HDL level compared to the atherogenic group.

Oxidative stress occured because of an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidant defences production which led to cell function deregulation [15]. An antioxidant is a substance that significantly delayed or prevented oxidation prosses of a readily oxidizable substrate at low concentration. Antioxidant compounds and enzymes in the body were not entirely sufficient to prevent dangerous oxidation, especially hyperlipidemia and diabetes conditions in which free radicals were excessively being produced [16]. The primary purpose of antioxidant was to help the body to protect against damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) [17]. The methanolic extract of A. paniculata had property as antioxidant towards DPPH, lipid peroxidation, and DNA cleavage protective assay [18].

Dyslipidemia is characterised by the LDL increase which could induce oxidation of LDL into ox-LDL. The increase ox-LDL could induce forming of foam cells in tunica intima and tunica media. Accumulation of foam cells in tunica intima and tunica media (interlamellar space) could induce atherosclerotic condition.

The LDL level increase in the blood would lead to an increase in oxidized LDL levels because LDL oxidation is likely to occur in the aorta [18]. The presence of oxidized LDL-induced smooth muscle cell proliferation and eventually, it would become atherosclerotic lesions. The atherogenic group had the highest levels of oxidized LDL. Atherogenic control rats had changes in morphology of the aorta (fig. 5 C1-4). We could say AND and atorvastatin had the same property as an antioxidant. AND compound was expected to be able to prevent foam cells formation. By preventing the foam cells formation, the accumulation of foam cells in tunica intima and tunica media would not happen. Atherosclerosis happened not only because of a high level of ox-LDL concentration in the blood but also because of inflammation processes.

The atherogenic diet that was given to the rats for 60 d could increase TC and LDL levels in the rats’ blood. The LDL level increase would induce an increase in Ox-LDL. Ox-LDL would stimulate an inflammatory reaction, thereby causing foam cells formation. There was a positive correlation between high ox-LDL level, lipid blood (total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL) which contributed to the aggravation of the atherogenesis process through the increase of monocytes accumulation and various other processes [20]. One transcription factor that played a significant role in the inflammatory reaction was NF-kB and activated NF-kB was presented in endothelial cells, SMC, and macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques [21]. AND was able to bind and inhibit the activation of NF-kB protein (in silico) so allegedly capable of preventing inflammatory reaction occurrence in the aorta.

CONCLUSION

18 mg/kg BW AND compound from sambiloto herb showed the antidyslipidemic and antioxidant effect in atherogenic rats. AND compound for four weeks in atherogenic rats could protect and prevent the severity of vascular atherosclerosis process.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We gratefully thank Universitas Udayana Bali Indonesia through Hibah Bersaing Research Grand 2015 and Ristekdikti.

CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS

Declared none

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