@2024 Afarand., IRAN

---

ISSN: 2252-0805    The Horizon of Medical Sciences 2015;21(1):45-51

Background
… [1-7] Two common drugs to control and treat hyperlipidemia are statins and fibers that their mechanisms are reducing cholesterol biosynthesis, increasing lipolysis and eliminating of atherogenic particles in the plasma. Long-term treatments with these drugs cause many complications including liver poisoning and kidney disorder [8]. … [9-11] World Health Organization, also, emphasizes the identification and the use of native plants as complementary medicine in the treatment of diseases, especially in the developing countries [12]. … [13, 14] Among the useful medicinal plants that can reduce blood fat, Turnip (Brassica rapa) from the family of Brassicacea can be noted. The utilization of different parts of the plant (roots, leaves, seeds and flowers) is recommended in traditional medicine to treat various diseases including diabetes, obesity and hyperlipidemia [15]. Among the secondary compounds in turnip roots, Frolic acid and sinapic acid can be mentioned that substantially and exclusively are found in the root of the plant. ... [16]
Previous Studies
The consumption of polyphenols and plant compounds rich in glycosides can reduce the risk of elevated blood lipids [17]. Frolic acid in oral doses up to 100 mg/kg of body weight in rats reduced their blood pressure [18, 19]. … [20] Frolic acid consumption of high-fat diet in exposed rats could be effective in lowering blood triglyceride and creating slow accumulation of fatty plaques in the aorta of the animals [21]. Synapic acid which is a phenolic compound has antioxidant properties that reduce blood lipids and inflammation [22].
Aim(s)
The aim of this study was to investigate lipid-lowering effects of aqueous extract of the roots of turnips in the hyperlipidemia rats.
Research type
This is an experimental study.
Research society, place and time
Male Wistar rats weighing range 180-220 gr were studied in Experimental Medicine Research Center of Birjand University of Medical Sciences (Iran).
Sampling method and number
40 rats were studied.
Used devices&materials
In order to achieve the extract, 100g of turnip roots was solved in a liter (ratio of one to ten w / v) of distilled water kept 48 hours at room temperature in a magnetic shaker container. The solution initially was filtered with filters with decreasing porosity percentage, and finally it was filtered by whatman-filter-paper no. 14. The resulting solution was concentrated by rotary evaporator under vacuum at 45° C, and then, using a freeze dryer device (Dena FD-5005-BT; Iran), lyophilized powder was obtained. Alkaloid compounds, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins and tannins in the extract were qualitatively detected using Tiwari method. [23]. Polyphenols were determined quantitatively through the test repeated three times by spectrophotometric method according to the instruction by Živković et al. Notably, Galic acid was used as the standard for this test [24]. The animals were divided randomly into 5 groups: Group 1 (healthy control – receiving normal saline), group 2 (control hyperlipidemia- receiving normal saline), group 3 (positive control-10 mg /kg atorvastatin), Group 4 (200 mg/ kg turnip root aqueous extract) and 5 (400 mg/ kg turnip root aqueous extract). All the aforementioned groups received treatments orally for 10 days at a specified time. On the eleventh day after 18-hour fasting for all groups except control group, the groups were received 300 mg/ kg triton- WR1339 (Sigma Alderich; USA) intra-peritoneal injection [25-27]. The rats were kept in fasting and with only access to water. After 24 hours, blood was taken from their heart after anesthetizing with ether. To assess the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, tests were conducted by Auto-analyzer (Integra; Germany) and standard diagnostic kits (Roche; Germany). Data were statistically expressed as mean. The groups were compared using ANOVA, Tukey test and SPSS 18 software [28-39].
Findings by Text
In the initial evaluation of the aqueous extract of the roots of turnips, there were flavonoid and tannin in the extract, while the quality tests indicated the absence of saponins, glycosides and alkaloids, in this extract. The amount of phenolic compounds in the turnip extract in Folin-Ciocalteu test repeated three times was 3.8± 0.42 mg/gr of Gallic acid. Triton led to a significant increase in the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol, as well as a significant decrease in the level of HDL-cholesterol compared to the control group. 200 mg /kg turnip root aqueous extract could control the increase of total cholesterol and keep it in the normal range. Although the extract of turnip in both doses controlled both LDL- cholesterol and triglyceride increases, it could not keep the values in the normal range. 10 mg/kg atorvastatin could control LDL-cholesterol increase. Nevertheless, it could not keep the cholesterol and triglyceride factors in the normal range. The effect of atorvastatin on triglyceride level control is greater than turnip extracts (both doses), although no one could keep triglyceride levels in the normal range. HDL-cholesterol levels showed that none of the extract and atorvastatin groups could prevent its decrease.
Main comparison to the similar studies
Levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL cholesterol increased with a very high slope with Triton administration, and HDL-cholesterol levels were significantly decreased by a lower intensity. 200 mg/kg turnips aqueous extract could increase the total cholesterol caused by triton injection keeping it in the normal range. In addition, it could control triglyceride and LDL cholesterol increase, although their rates were beyond the normal range. Turnip root extract could better control the level of total cholesterol compared to atorvastatin, while it showed a weaker effect of other factors. Receiving turnip extract for a month can increase total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL cholesterol in the alloxan diabetic rats and increase HDL cholesterol [40]. Significant reduction of total cholesterol and triglyceride levels has been observed in rats with dyslipidemia caused by 2-week treatment fructose diet with 400 mg /kg turnip root alcoholic extract for [41]. 5-week turnip root alcoholic extract can significantly reduce the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in rats affected by congenital type 2 diabetes [42].
Suggestions
To explain mechanism for lowering blood lipids, HMG-CoA reductase enzyme measurement by liver, as well as intestinal phospholipases, should be considered.
Limitations
Failure to measure reductase liver HMG-CoA enzyme and intestinal phospholipases were the limitations of this study.
Conclusions
Turnip root extract due to the presence of phenolic compounds effective on fat control can effectively inhibit the increase of cholesterol and triglyceride levels in rats with intense hyperlipidemia with reverse and dose-dependent effect.
Acknowledgments
Researchers thank Dr. Malakaneh for providing Triton –WR1339.
Conflict of interest
Non-declared
Ethical Permissions
Methods were approved by Ethics Committee of Research and Technology Deputy of Birjand University of Medical Sciences.
Funding Sources
The study was funded by Research Deputy of Birjand University of Medical Sciences.

TABLES and CHARTS

Show attach file