Abstract: Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor in the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic lesions, conditions such as coronary heart disease, ischemic cerebrovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease. This leads to high mortality and morbidity rate in developed countries. This is mainly due to altered lipoprotein metabolism. Standard treatments for Hyperlipidemia & dyslipidemia with statins and with the other available agents have adverse effects. Thus, there is more need for development of newer pharmacological agents which are more efficient in lowering LDL Cholesterol and Triglycerides. The hypolipidemic activity of Nathaichoori Chooranam was studied on high fat diet induced hyperlipidemic rats. Hyperlipidemia in experimental rats was evidenced by an enhancement in the levels of Cholesterols, Triglycerides, LDL and VLDL. The trial drug showed significant hypolipidemic effect by lowering the serum levels of biochemical parameters, such as significant reduction in the level of serum Cholesterol, TGL, LDL, VLDL and increase in HDL level which was similar to the standard drug atorvastatin. So, it is concluded that the Nathaichoori chooranam can be used in the treatment of Hyperlipidemia and Obesity.

1. Int. J. Pharm. Res. Sci., 2014, 02(1), 104-109.
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Hypolipidemic activity of Nathaichoori Chooranam (NC) (Siddha drug) on High fat diet Induced
Hyperlipidemic Rats.
K Kanakavalli1,*, S Thillaivanan2, P Parthiban3
1. Prof &. H.O.D, U.G. Pothu Maruthuvam Dept, GSMC, Chennai.
2. Asst. Medical Officer (Siddha), GPHC, Jamunamarathur.
3. Prof & H.O.D, P.G. Pothu Maruthuvam Dept, GSMC, Chennai.
Corresponding Author Mail.id: drkkanakavalli@gmail.com.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hyperlipidemia contributes significantly in the
Abstract:
Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor in the
manifestation and development of atherosclerosis
initiation and progression of atherosclerotic lesions,
and
coronary
heart
diseases
(CHD).
conditions such as coronary heart disease, ischemic
Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of
cerebrovascular disease and peripheral vascular
mortality and morbidity worldwide. Although
disease. This leads to high mortality and morbidity
several factors, such as diet high in saturated fats
rate in developed countries. This is mainly due to
and cholesterol, age, family history, hypertension
altered lipoprotein metabolism. Standard treatments
and life style play a significant role in causing heart
for Hyperlipidemia & dyslipidemia with statins and
failure [1]. The high levels of cholesterol
with the other available agents have adverse effects.
particularly TC, TG and LDL cholesterol is mainly
Thus, there is more need for development of newer
responsible for the onset of CHDs. A 20%
pharmacological agents which are more efficient in
reduction of blood cholesterol level can decrease
lowering LDL Cholesterol and Triglycerides. The
about 31% of CHD incidence, and 33% of its
hypolipidemic activity of Nathaichoori Chooranam
mortality rate. The known lipid lowering drugs,
(NC) was studied on high fat diet induced
such as fibrates, statins and bile acid sequestrants
hyperlipidemic rats. Hyperlipidemia in experimental
have many side effects in patients [2]. Thus, there
rats was evidenced by an enhancement in the levels
is a considerable interest on development of
of Cholesterols, Triglycerides, LDL and VLDL.
lipid lowering drugs from natural products in the
The trial drug showed significant hypolipidemic
recent years.
effect by lowering the serum levels of biochemical
Spermacocce hispida Linn (Family-Rubiaceae)
parameters, such as significant reduction in the level
(Tamil Name- Nathaichoori, Kuzhimeettan) has
of serum Cholesterol, TGL, LDL, VLDL and
been extensively used in siddha system of medicine
increase in HDL level which was similar to the
for various ailments like stomach disorders,
standard drug atorvastatin. So, it is concluded that
Diabetes, Skin diseases, Bronchial asthma etc. The
the Nathaichoori chooranam can be used in the
flowers have been used to boils, eruptions, tumors,
treatment of Hyperlipidemia and Obesity.
swelling etc. The whole plant is used for medicinal
properties; it is widely distributed in the Western
KEYWORDS: Spermacocce hispida, atorvastatin,
Ghats of Kerala and in Tamilnadu [3]. The seeds of
Rubiaceae, Lipid lowering agent, Siddha medicine,
Atherosclerosis, Obesity.
the plants are used as coolant, demulcent, and given
Introduction:
for diarrhea and dysentery. Seeds have been
104

2. Int. J. Pharm. Res. Sci., 2014, 02(1), 104-109.
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ISSN: 2348 –0882
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recommended as a substitute for coffee. Seeds are
crushed into paste and taken orally to treat stomach
problems [4]. All the parts of the plant have an
ethno medicinal importance. As Spermacocce
hispida (Nathaichoori), plant species have been
traditionally claimed for the treatment of
Athithoolarogam (Obesity). Hence, in the present
study, an attempt has been made to screen the
Siddha drug that is Nathaichoori Chooranam, for
the hypolipidemic activity to prove its claim in
folklore practice.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
SOP of the drug ‘Nathaichoori Chooranam’:
The seeds of Nathaichoori (Spermacocce hispida)
were collected and dried. Then the dried seeds were
fried, powdered and mixed well.
Aim
Aim of the study is to evaluate the safety and
efficacy of the siddha drug ‘Nathaichoori
chooranam’ (NC).
Chemicals
Analytical grade chemicals used for these studies
were obtained from s.d. fine chemicals Ltd,
Mumbai.
Animals
Adult albino wistar rats of either sex weighing
around 125-180 gms were used. The animals were
maintained at normal room temperature with a
humidity of 55+ 5%. All the animals were fed with
pellet diet obtained from Poultry Research Station,
Nandanam, Chennai –35 and tap water ad libitum
throughout the experimental period. The animals
were acclimatized to the laboratory conditions
before experimental procedures were started. The
health, normal behavior and reproductive status of
the animals were assessed and only healthy animals
Evaluation of Hypolipidemic activity:
Experimental Design:
were selected for the experiment. The experimental
protocol for the drug Nathaichoori chooranam (NC)
(AJ/IAEC/10/) (AJ/IAEC/10/12) were approved by
the CPCSEA/IAEC of Mohamed sathak A.J college
of pharmacy, Sholinganallur, Chennai.
Drug stock solution
The test drug used for the study was suspended each
time with 1% (w/v) solution of sodium carboxy
methyl cellulose before administration.
Hyperlipidemic inducer:
Butter was used as the hyperlipidemic inducer in
animal procured from Chennai. 400mg of butter/Kg
b.w. dissolved in 10ml of buffered saline was used
for the induction of hyperlipidemic rats.
Acute Oral Toxicity Study (LD50 Determination)
For acute oral toxicity study OECD guidelines 423
was followed. It is a stepwise procedure with three
animals of a single sex per step. Depending on the
mortality and/or morbidity of the animals a few
steps may be necessary to judge the toxicity of the
test substance. This procedure has advantage over
other methods because of minimal usage of animals
while allowing for acceptable data.
The method uses defined doses (5, 50, 300,
2000mg/kg body weight) and the results allow a
substance to be ranked and classified according to
the globally harmonized system. The starting dose
of Nathaichoori chooranam was 2000mg/kg
bodyweight p.o. The dose was administered to the
rats which were fasted overnight with water ad
libitum and observed for signs of toxicity. The same
dose was once again tried with another three rats
and were observed for 72 hours for symptoms like
change in skin color, salivation, diarrhea, sleep,
tremors, convulsions and also respiratory,
autonomic and CNS effects.
Group I was considered as solvent control which
TableI.Groupingof Experimental Animals.
105

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received normal rodent pellet diet. Group II was
considered as high fat diet group and received the
butter diet; Group III was considered positive
control group which received standard drug
Sl.No. Wistar Rats
Feeding P.O.
1.
Group I Solvent
Fed with normal
control
rodent pellet diet.
P.O.
Group II Negative
Fed with high fat
control Diet
2.
diet (HFD) and
water ad libitum
P.O.
Atorvastatin
10mg/kg + P.O.
Group IV Low Dose
Nathaichoori
Nathaichoori
Chooranam +
Chooranam(100
4.
Group III Positive
control
3.
HFD P.O.
mg/kg of b.w)
Group V High Dose
Nathaichoori
Nathaichoori
Chooranam +
Chooranam(200
5.
HFD P.O.
mg/kg of b.w)
Atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) .Group IV was considered
as test group I and received the trial drug
Nathaichoori Chooranam at the dose of 100 mg/ Kg
body weight per oral along with the high fat diet
and Group V was considered as test group II which
received the trial drug at the dose of 200 mg/ Kg
body weight in High dose along with the high fat
diet.(Table-I).
At the end of 21st day, blood serum was withdrawn
from the retro orbital plexus after overnight fasting
for the study of biochemical parameters. Serum was
estimated for the total cholesterol, triglycerides,
LDL, VLDL and HDL cholesterol [5].
Statistical Analysis:
Results were presented as mean ± SD. The
significance of difference among the groups were
assessed using one way analysis of variance
(ANOVA) followed by Dunken’s Multiple Reliance
test using SPSS software.(P< 0.05) was considered
significant.
RESULTS:
Hypolipidemic activity:
A marked increase in the level of serum cholesterol,
triglycerides, LDL and VLDL were found in the
animals which received high fat diet and
HDL levels were decreased. Administrations of trial
drug NC at the dose of 200 mg/kg showed
significant reduction in the level of serum
cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL and increase
in HDL level which was similar to the standard
Atorvastatin, and are almost near the levels of
normal control.
A significant percentage reduction of serum
cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL and
percentage increase in HDL in test extract was also
comparable with the standard drug. A potent
hypolipidemic effect of the trial drug was evident
by a significant reduction in the level of serum
cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and triglycerides in the
cholesterol treated animals and also marked
increase in the HDL Cholesterol level (Table-II).
Table –II. Lipid
Profile Study on
Wistar Rats.
Sample Collection:
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Sl.
Wistar
SOLV
LD
VL
Triglyc
Chole
DL
L
DL
erides
mg
mg
mg/
mg/dl
mg/dl
1.
H
strol
No. Rats
Total
/dl
/dl
dl
(TGL)
48
22
3
18
92
65
14
15
25
114
47
21
4
18
91
43
20
6
18
93
35
28
2
14
73
ENT
CONT
ROL
2.
NEGA
TIVE
CONT
ROL
3.
POSIT
IVE
CONT
ROL
4.
LOW
DOSE
5.
HIGH
DOSE
DISCUSSION:
Hyperlipidemia continues to be a health major
problem in India and other developing countries,
which lead to important risk factors like
atherosclerosis, stroke etc. Hyperlipidemia evokes
the damages in various tissue, which in turn,
deregulates the cellular functions leading to damage
to various pathological conditions [6]. Heart disease
is raising an epidemic scale in Indian men and
women, vegetarians and nor-vegetarians whether
they are living in India or abroad [7]. The World
Health Organization report emphasizes that the
cardio vascular diseases to be the largest cause of
death and disability in India by 2020 [8]. The
present studies were performed to assess the
hypolipidemic activity and to prove its claim in
folklore practice against various disorders.
Probucol, a hypolipidemic drug is a potent
lipophilic antioxidant and the ability to inhibit
atherosclerosis has been attributed to its antioxidant
properties. Probucol lowers the level of cholesterol
in the bloodstream by increasing the rate of LDL
catabolism. Additionally, probucol may inhibit
cholesterol synthesis and delay cholesterol
absorption. Cholesterol is synthesized in all
animal tissue. Its important relates to its role in
the stabilization of membrane structures because of
its rigid planar structure. It is also a precursor for
the synthesis of steroid hormones. Increased
amount of cholesterol leads to cardiovascular
disease particularly coronary heart disease (CHD)
[ 9].
Triglycerides are mainly stored in the adipose
tissue [10]. The plasma lipoproteins are major
sources of fatty acid to synthesis triacylglycerols.
The excess of fat diet increased the TG level
which is one of the causes of hardening of arteries
[11].
The plasma cholesterol was reduced remarkably on
treating the HFD rats with the trial drug
Nathaichoori chooranam. Reduction of 1%
cholesterol produces a 2% to 3% reduction in
coronary heart disease risk [12]. LDL is a risk
factor and plays a main role at several paths of
atherosclerosis [13]. A decrease in oxidative stress
and protection of LDL from oxidation might
therefore be a strategy with great promise for
prevention
of
atherosclerosis
associated
cardiovascular disease (cvd) [14].
VLDL is the main carrier and it is less harmful
than TGL but still can damage the arterial lining.
VLDL production is directly related to the body
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fat [15].Severe elevation in the VLDL cholesterol
lead to hypercholesterolemia. The plasma
lipoproteins are major sources of fatty acid to
synthesis triacylglycerols. The excess of fat diet
increased the TG level which is one of the causes
of hardening of arteries [11].
HDL is known as the good cholesterol it has
reversed the transport function. It carries
cholesterol away from the coronary categories and
drops it off at the liver [16].
LDL particles are often termed as bad cholesterol
because they have been linked to atheroma
formation whereas high concentrations of HDL are
often referred to as good cholesterol, as it can
remove cholesterol from cells & atheroma & hence
can offer protection [17].
Conclusion:
Hyperlipidemia is considered to be major risk
factor for the obesity and premature atherosclerosis
and essentially the
cholesterol
in
atherosclerotic plaque is derived from that
of circulatory cholesterol. In conclusion, it can
be said that the trial drug Nathaichoori chooranam
exhibited a significant hypolipidemic effect at the
dose of 200 mg/kg body weight. Efforts are in
progress to isolate and characterize the active
principle, which is responsible for the
hypolipidemic efficacy of this valuable siddha herb.
The hypolipidemic effect of the trial drug
‘Nathaichoori chooranam’ (NC) in particular could
be considered as a beneficial therapeutic value on
lipid profile.
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