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Evaluation of the anti-atherogenic potential of chrysin in Wistar rats

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Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the major risk factors that precipitate coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis. Oxidative stress is believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis; hence, various antioxidant compounds are being evaluated for potential anti-atherogenic effects. In the present study, the putative anti-atherogenic and antioxidant efficacy of a flavonoid, chrysin, was evaluated in an experimental model of atherosclerosis. In male, albino Wistar rats fed an atherogenic diet for 45 days and treated with saline, significantly higher mean levels of serum lipid profile parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), lower mean levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher mean serum levels of hepatic marker enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase) were observed when compared with the levels in rats fed a control diet. In addition, significantly lower mean hepatic levels of lipoprotein lipase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione, and vitamins C and E), and a significantly higher mean level of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) were noted in comparison to the values in control rats. In atherogenic diet-fed rats that received chrysin orally (200 mg/kg b.wt) for 15 days, starting 30 days after the start of the atherogenic diet, significantly lower mean serum levels of lipid profile parameters (except for HDL-cholesterol which was elevated), hepatic marker enzymes, and significantly higher mean hepatic levels of LPL, HMG-CoA reductase, enzymatic, and non-enzymatic antioxidants and significantly lower mean levels of hepatic MDA were noted, compared to the values in atherogenic diet-fed, saline-treated rats. Histopathological studies appeared to suggest the protective effect of chrysin on the hepatic tissue and aorta of atherosclerotic rats. These results suggest that chrysin has anti-atherogenic potential in an experimental setting.

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Acknowledgments

Financial assistance provided by the Department of Science and Technology-Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (DST-PURSE) to the first author is gratefully acknowledged. Financial assistance provided by University Grants Commission-Basic Scientific Research (UGC-BSR) in the form of one time grant to the corresponding author is gratefully acknowledged. The instrumentation facility provided by the University Grant Commission-Special Assistance Programme (UGC-SAP) of the Department of Animal Science, Bharathidasan University, is acknowledged.

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The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

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  1. Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 620 024, Tamil Nadu, India

    Ramalingam Anandhi & Pitchairaj Geraldine

  2. Institute of Ophthalmology, Joseph Eye Hospital, Tiruchirappalli, 620 001, Tamil Nadu, India

    Philip A. Thomas

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  1. Ramalingam Anandhi
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Anandhi, R., Thomas, P.A. & Geraldine, P. Evaluation of the anti-atherogenic potential of chrysin in Wistar rats. Mol Cell Biochem 385, 103–113 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-013-1819-z

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