Abstract
BACKGROUND: Premna integrifolia Linn. is a medicinal plant of an Ayurvedic importance and proved to have an anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial and hypo-lipidemic activity. Glutathione (GSH) redox status is an important parameter to assess the antioxidant activity of any neutraceuticals. OBJECTIVE: In order to assess the anti-oxidant potential of hydro alcoholic extract (HAE) of P. integrifolia, this study was aimed to evaluate the GSH redox status in high fat diet induced experimental atherosclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study comprises sixty Wistar rats and they were divided into six groups: the first group served as control, the second group was fed with high fat diet and the third, fourth and fifth groups were fed with high fat diet along with various concentrations of HAE of 200, 400 and 500 g/kg.b.wt respectively and the sixth group was administered high fat diet along with 10 mg/kg b.wt of atorvastatin for 30 days. GSH-dependent enzymes like GSH-peroxidase (GPx), GSH-reductase (GR) and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) were estimated in hemolysate, kidney, heart and liver of experimental rats. RESULTS: Analysis of GSH levels showed a significant decrease in hemolysate, heart and kidney (p < 0.05) and liver (p < 0.01) in high fat-fed rats when compared to control. Activities of GPx, GR and G6PD in hemolysate and heart (p < 0.001), liver and kidney (p < 0.05) in high fat-fed rats when compared to control. Dose-dependent increase was observed in rats treated with various concentrations of HAE. CONCLUSION: The HAE of root bark of P. integrifolia is proved to have a protective role on antioxidant defense in high fat diet induced atherosclerosis model. As a whole P. integrifolia increases the GSH content in a dose-dependent manner and in turn altered the redox cycle.