Effects of colocynth alkaloids and glycosides on Wistar rats fed high-fat diet. A biochemical and morphological study

Introduction. In traditional medicine, Citrullus colocynthis is used to treat diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and oxidative stress, all of which can appear when a diet rich in vegetable fats, such as palm oil, is continuously consumed. Such high-fat diets are chronic stressors of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. The objective of our study was to analyze and evaluate the effects of colocynth total alkaloids and glycosides on metabolic, hormonal, and structural disorders of the adrenal medulla in Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet. Material and methods. Twenty six Wistar rats were distributed as follows: six control animals received a standard laboratory diet; twenty experimental rats received the standard laboratory diet supplemented with palm oil — the high-fat diet (HFD). After seven months of this diet, the HFD group was subdivided into rats treated for the next 2 months with either alkaloid extract (HFD-ALk group) or ethanol extract of glycosides (HFD-GLc) or animals on HFD only. Plasma metabolites and ACTH concentrations were measured by standard methods. Sections of adrenal medulla were stained by Heidenhain-Azan method and Sudan Black. Results. The adrenal medulla of the HFD rats showed prominent structural changes, such as hypertrophy of chromaffin and ganglion cells, vacuolation, inflammatory foci, and fibrosis. The biochemical and hormonal parameters were significantly improved in the HFD rats treated with alkaloid and glycoside extracts of Citrullus colocynthis. Moreover, the morphological changes of the adrenal medulla were attenuated in HFD-ALk and HFD-Glc rats. Conclusions. The results of the study indicate that phytotherapy using Citrullus colocynthis alkaloids may correct metabolic and hormonal perturbations as well as adrenal medulla structure of rats maintained on HFD.

Effet hypolipémiant des alcaloïdes de la coloquinte chez le rat Wistar soumis à un régime hyperlipidique [Hypolipidemic effect of colocynth alkaloids in Wistar rat fed high-fat diet]

Introduction. Animals fed high-fat diet have been shown to develop hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and moderate obesity, which resemble to human metabolic syndrome Many plant extracts have been recommended worldwide for metabolic disorders treatment. Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of alkaloids colocynth extract in rats fed high-fat diet. Material and methods. Male rats (n=18), were divided into three groups: a control group (LT) (n = 6) fed a standard diet (1.3 MJ/100 g), and an experimental group (LE) (n=12) received a standard diet enriched with palm oil (2.3 MJ/100 g). After four months of high-fat diet feeding, LE animals received intraperitoneally administration of alkaloids during five weeks (LTr). Results. Treated animals with bitter apple compared to experimental animals, showed significant reduction in serum triacylglycerols (-73%), total cholesterol (-30%), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) (-47%). Whereas, a significant increase was noted in high density lipoprotein (HDL)(+57%).Enzymatic activities of aspartate, alanine amino transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were lowered by 37, 20 and 34%, respectively. Conclusion. Our results suggest that alkaloids have positive effects on metabolic disorders caused by high-fat diet in rat

Effects of colocynth alkaloids and glycosides on Wistar rats fed high-fat diet. A biochemical and morphological study

Introduction. In traditional medicine, Citrullus colocynthis is used to treat diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and oxidative stress, all of which can appear when a diet rich in vegetable fats, such as palm oil, is continuously consumed. Such high-fat diets are chronic stressors of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. The objective of our study was to analyze and evaluate the effects of colocynth total alkaloids and glycosides on metabolic, hormonal, and structural disorders of the adrenal medulla in Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet. Material and methods. Twenty six Wistar rats were distributed as follows: six control animals received a standard laboratory diet; twenty experimental rats received the standard laboratory diet supplemented with palm oil — the high-fat diet (HFD). After seven months of this diet, the HFD group was subdivided into rats treated for the next 2 months with either alkaloid extract (HFD-ALk group) or ethanol extract of glycosides (HFD-GLc) or animals on HFD only. Plasma metabolites and ACTH concentrations were measured by standard methods. Sections of adrenal medulla were stained by Heidenhain-Azan method and Sudan Black. Results. The adrenal medulla of the HFD rats showed prominent structural changes, such as hypertrophy of chromaffin and ganglion cells, vacuolation, inflammatory foci, and fibrosis. The biochemical and hormonal parameters were significantly improved in the HFD rats treated with alkaloid and glycoside extracts of Citrullus colocynthis. Moreover, the morphological changes of the adrenal medulla were attenuated in HFD-ALk and HFD-Glc rats. Conclusions. The results of the study indicate that phytotherapy using Citrullus colocynthis alkaloids may correct metabolic and hormonal perturbations as well as adrenal medulla structure of rats maintained on HFD. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2017, Vol. 55, No. 2, 74–85