Resumo

BETANCOURT MORGADO, Emoe et al. Evaluation of the hypolipidemic potential of two medicinal plants using a chronic hyperlipidemia model. Rev Cubana Plant Med [online]. 2014, vol.19, n.3, pp. 133-143. ISSN 1028-4796.

Introduction: the presence of antioxidant metabolites in the species Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf. (lemongrass) and Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. (oregano) is a source of evidence for biomedical research. Objective: evaluate the hypolipidemic effect of the species Plectranthus amboinicus (oregano) and Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) using a chronic hyperlipidemia model. Methods: an evaluation was performed of the hypolipidemic effect of hydroalcoholic extracts from dry aerial parts of P. amboinicus and C. citratus using a chronic hyperlipidemia model in which a hypercaloric diet of pork fat and refined sugar was provided for 60 days. Male Balb/C mice were used which were divided into one control group (Group I) and four treatment groups. Oral doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg were administered of soft extracts of P. amboinicus (Groups II and III) and C. citratus (Groups IV and V), respectively. Phytochemical characterization was conducted of both extracts, evaluating plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, triacylglycerides (TAG) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). Results: phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of reducing compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids and triterpenes in alcoholic extracts of both plants, more abundantly in the lemongrass extract. The variables cholesterol, TAG and VLDL showed a statistically significant reduction in Groups IV and V, whereas the values for Groups II and III were similar to those in Group I (control). Conclusions: the soft extract of Cymbopogon citratus displayed hypolipidemic activity at the study doses, whereas the hydroalcoholic extract of Plectranthus amboinicus did not.

Palavras-chave : Plectranthus amboinicus; Cymbopogon citratus; hypolipidemic; medicinal plants; mice.

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