The hypolipidemic action of Anthocephalus indicus (family, Rubiaceae: Hindi name, Kadam) fruit extract has been studied in hyperlipidemic rats fed a triton-and cholesterol-rich high-fat diet. In triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemic rats, feeding with the fruit extract (500 mg/kg b.w.) exerted a lipid-lowering effect as assessed by reversal of plasma levels of total cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglyceride following reactivation of the post-heparin lipolytic activity. In another model, chronic feeding of this natural product (500 mg/kg, b.w.) to animals simultaneously fed a high-fat diet for 30 days caused lowering of lipid levels in plasma and liver accompanied with stimulation of hepatic lipolytic activity. The hypolipidemic activity of Anthocephalus indicus fruit extract iscompared with guggulipid, a known lipid-lowering drug, in both models.

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Immobilization of commercial cellulase enzyme on ion exchange and epoxy resin carriers has been studied under various process parameters and conditions by using methanol to allow reuse of cellulase enzyme that would otherwise be discarded after biopolishing. The activity of immobilized enzyme was determined by measuring the amount of glucose made from carboxy methyl cellulose by using an assay with reading at 492 nm. The retained activity was investigated by cellulase assay for every successive cycle of operations. Under different process parameters and conditions the activity of immobilization has been tried to increase the immobilization efficiency. Epoxy resin shows greater amount of cellulase immobilization when compared to ion exchange resin. The immobilized epoxy resin with maximum activity was used on cotton fabric for biopolishing instead of free enzyme for successive cycles and the treated fabrics physico-mechanical properties were studied. Results show that immobilized cellulase can be used for biopolishing for successive cycles efficiently.

The antidyslipidemic activity of Hibiscus rosa sinensis (Malvaceae) root extract has been studied in alloxan induced diabetic rats. In this model, oral administration of root extract (500 mg/kg bw. p.o.) for 15 days resulted in significant decreased in the levels of blood glucose, plasma lipids and reactivated post heparin lipoprotein lipase activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, the root extract (50-500 lg) when tested for its antioxidant activity, inhibited the generation of super oxide anions and hydroxyl radicals, in both enzymic and non enzymic systems in vitro. The results of the present study demonstrated antidyslipidemic and antioxidant activities in root extract of H. rosa sinensis which could be used in prevention of diabetic-dyslipidemia and related complications.

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