Investigations on Hypolipidemic Activity of Asparagus Filicinus Buch- Ham Ex D. Don

Saponins are the foam producing secondary metabolites of plant. They have been evaluated for a number biological activities like anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, antitumor, blood cholesterol lowering properties etc. In the present study we have attempted to check the role of isolated saponins from Asparagus filicinus for its hypolipidemic activity. Saponin rich fraction of Asparagus filicinus was extracted by microwave assisted extraction technique. Phytochemical analysis and characterization was performed using FTIR technique comparing it to the standard spectra of saponins. Preliminary anti hyperlipidemic activity was evaluated using Triton WR 1339 model. This experiment shows significant reduction in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL level in comparison with Atorvastatin standard drug. INTRODUCTION: Saponins are plant glycosides and have diverse structural features. They are common in a variety of higher plants and usually found in roots, tubers, leaves, blooms or in some cases in seeds. They may contain a steroid, steroid alkaloid or triterpene core structure, the so-called aglycone. The steroidal aglycone consists of 27 Catoms while the triterpenoidalaglycone has 30 Catoms. The saponins with a steroid alkaloid as aglycone are similar to those with a steroidal aglycone but contain additional nitrogen atoms within the core structure. 1 The saponin forms a cage-like structure together with membrane cholesterol present in the cellular membranes, this has been exploited in the formulation of immune stimulating complexes (ISCOMS). QUICK RESPONSE CODE DOI: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.8(2).813-18 Article can be accessed online on: www.ijpsr.com DOI link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.8 (2).813-18 Moreover studies have demonstrated that for this adjuvant action of saponin, cholesterol is essential for its adjuvant function 2 . Hyperlipidemia leads to artherosclerosis, which is one of the major causes of death in the world according to numerous health reports. In India, artherosclerosis is shaping to be a major disease mainly due to the changing life styles and increasing stress. Population studies and clinical trials have shown a strong relation between hyperlipidemia and coronary heart diseases. 3 An increase in coronary heart disease is associated with a high serum concentration of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides (TG). 4 In some cases there are positive reports of the beneficial effects of saponins in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Asparagus filicinus Buch-Ham ex D, Don (Asparagaceae) commonly known as fern asparagus is a perennial plant producing erect stem 50-70 cm long from a rhizomatous root stock.