8 research outputs found
Efficacy study of the bioactive fraction (F-3) of Acorus calamus in hyperlipidemia
Objective : To investigate the effect of the bioactive F-3 fraction
from the rhizomes of Acorus calamus in experimentally induced
hyperlipidemic rats. Materials and Methods : Doses of 10, 20 and 40
mg/kg of the bioactive fraction were evaluated for its effect on the
lipid profile and fibrinogen levels in diet-induced hyperlipidemia.
Additionally, apoprotein A1 and apoprotein B levels were estimated
using immunoturbidimetric assays. Furthermore, the bioactive F-3
fraction was investigated for its mechanism of action by estimating
HMG-CoA reductase activity and fecal cholesterol levels. Besides
evaluating the free radical-scavenging activity using the Diphenyl
picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) method, the high performance thin layer
chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprint of the bioactive fraction was also
developed. Results : At doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg, the bioactive
fraction significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the total cholesterol
(TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. The bioactive F-3
fraction also attenuated the raised plasma fibrinogen levels. Fecal
cholesterol excretion was significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced by the
F-3 fraction while 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA
reductase) activity was depressed. Furthermore, the F-3 fraction also
possessed an appreciable free radical scavenging activity. Conclusion
: The results of the present study revealed that the bioactive F-3
fraction demonstrated its cholesterol-reducing effect by increasing
fecal cholesterol excretion and decreasing cholesterol biosynthesis in
the liver. Additionally, the effects on fibrinogen levels and free
radicals indicate that the bioactive F-3 fraction could have a
potentially beneficial effect in atherosclerosis associated with
hyperlipidemia
Convenient Synthesis of (3R, 4S)-4-Methyl-3-hexanol and (S)-4-Methyl-3-hexanone, the Pheromones of Ants
Synthesis of enantiopure pheromones I and II, both of them bearing chiral methyl branching and an α-oxygenated carbon centre, has been accomplished using compound 2 prepared from D-mannitol as the chiral precursor