Hypolipidemic effect of coriander seeds (Coriandrum sativum): mechanism of action

The effect of the administration of coriander seeds (Coriandrum sativum) on the metabolism of lipids was studied in rats fed a high fat diet with added cholesterol. The spice had a significant hypolipidemic action. The levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides decreased significantly in the tissues of the animals of the experimental group which received coriander seeds. Significant increases in -hydroxy, -methyl glutaryl CoA reductase and plasma lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase activity were noted in the experimental group. The level of LDL + VLDL cholesterol decreased while that of HDL cholesterol increased in the experimental group compared to the control group. The increased activity of plasma LCAT, enhanced hepatic bile acid synthesis and the increased degradation of cholesterol to fecal bile acids and neutral sterols appeared to account for its hypocholesterolemic effect.     

Blackgram fiber (Phaseolus mungo): Mechanism of hypoglycemic action

The effect of the administration of blackgram fiber (Phaseolusmungo) on the metabolism of carbohydrates was studied in rats fed 30%NDF (neutral detergent fiber) diet. The experimental group showed a significant increase in liverglycogen level and a significant decrease in blood glucose. Significantincreases in the activities of glycogen phosphorylase, hexokinase, fructose-1,6-diphosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and isocitratedehydrogenase were observed in the experimental group. The activities ofphosphoglucomutase and glucose-6-phosphatase were significantly lower inrats fed the fiber diet. The study showed that blackgram fiber exhibitssignificant hypoglycemic action in experimental animals.     

Biochemical response in rats to the addition of curry leaf (Murraya koenigii) and mustard seeds (Brassica juncea) to the diet

Three groups with 12 weanling male albino rats were group fed for 90 days on a standard laboratory rat diet plus 20% coconut oil either without a supplement or with the addition of 10% curry leaf or 10% mustard seeds. Feed was offered at a level of 10% body weight. At the end of the trial, measurements were made on the total serum cholesterol, high density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins, and very low density lipoproteins fractions, release of lipoproteins into the circulation, lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase activity and lipoprotein lipase activity. Feed intake and mean body weight of the rats on each treatment was not significantly different. Both spices resulted in a reduction in total serum cholesterol and LDL+VLDL, an increase in the HDL, lower release of lipoproteins into the circulation and an increase in the LCAT activity.     

Cassava diet – A cause for mucopolysaccharidosis?

Studies were carried out to determine the changes in glycosaminnoglycan (GAG)metabolism in rats fed cassava with varying cyanoglucoside levels and two levels of protein. Results indicated that there was an enhancement in the level of total and individual GAG with a corresponding reduction in the activity of enzymes involved in the degradation of glycosaminoglycan. These changes were significant for rats given a cassava diet (raw and boiled cassava) and low protein. The changes in total and individual GAG and the decrease in the activity of degrading enzymes was more for high cyanide (raw cassava) groups compared with other groups showing that consumption of untreated cassava is an additive factor for the promotion of mucopolysaccharidosis.     

Enzyme inhibitors in tuber crops and their thermal stability

Tubers of Cassava (Manihot esculenta), yams (Dioscorea esculenta),aroids (Amorphophallus campanulatus, Colocasia esculenta, Xanthosoma sagittifolium) and Coleus (Solenostemon rotundifolius) were screened for inhibitory activities against amylase, trypsin and chymotrypsin. Coleus tuber possessed the highest anti-amylase activity, whereas Colocasia tuber was the most potent source of anti-tryptic and anti-chymotryptic activity. Xanthosoma tubers exhibited amylase inhibitory activity and Amorphophallus tubers antiprotease activity. Dioscorea esculenta had low levels of amylase and chymotrypsin inhibitors, while Cassava tubers were totally free of inhibitors. When tubers were processed by pressure cooking, there was significant reduction/complete elimination in inhibitory activity. Partial retention of inhibition was observed in the case of amylase inhibitor in Dioscorea, chymotrypsin inhibitor in Colocasia and trypsin inhibitor in Colocasia, Coleus and Amorphophallus. In vitro experiments on heat stability of the different inhibitors revealed almost similar pattern of inactivation.     

Effect of dietary fiber on the activity of intestinal and fecal beta-glucuronidase activity during 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced colon carcinogenesis

The effects of fiber isolated from black gram (Phaseolus mungo) and Coconut (Cocos nucifera) kernel on the metabolic activity of intestinal and fecal beta glucuronidase activity during 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced colon carcinogenesis were studied. The results indicated that the inclusion of fiber from black gram and coconut kernel generally supported lower specific activities and less fecal output of beta-glucuronidase than did the fiber free diet. This study suggests that the fibers isolated from coconut or black gram may potentially play a role in preventing the formation of colon tumors induced by the carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine by reducing the activity of the intestinal as well as fecal beta-glucuronidase.