Comparative effects of Aegle marmelos extract and alpha-tocopherol on serum lipids, lipid peroxides and cardiac enzyme levels in rats with isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction

M Rajadurai, PSM Prince
Correspondence: Dr P Stanely Mainzen Prince, p_smprince@yahoo.co.in

ABSTRACT
Introduction We demonstrate the effect of Aegle marmelos leaf extract (AMLEt) and alpha-tocopherol on plasma lipids, lipid peroxides and marker enzymes in rats with isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction.
Methods Rats were pre-treated orally for 35 days with different doses of an aqueous AMLEt (50 mg/ kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) prior to ISO-induced myocardial infarction. The effects on creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipid hydroperoxides, serum lipids and lipoproteins were studied.
Results Pre-treatment with AMLEt at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg bodyweight for 35 days showed a significant effect on the activities of marker enzymes, lipid peroxides, lipids, lipoproteins and antioxidant enzymes in ISO-treated rats. The effect of AMLEt 200 mg/kg was found to be equal to the effect of alpha-tocopherol 60 mg/kg.
Conclusion Aegle marmelos leaves possess antihyperlipidaemic effect in rats with ISO-induced myocardial infarction.

Keywords: Aegle marmelos, isoproterenol, lipids, lipoproteins, myocardial infarction
Singapore Med J 2005; 46(2): 78-81