Phenolic Rich Extract from Clinacanthus nutans Attenuates Hyperlipidemia‐Associated Oxidative Stress in Rats

Abstract

Clinacanthus nutans is used as traditional medicine in Asia but there are limited scientific studies to support its use. In this study, the stem and leaf of C. nutans were extracted using solvents of differing polarities, and their antioxidant capacities were determined using multiple antioxidant assays. The water and aqueous methanolic leaf extracts were further fractionated and their antioxidant capacities and phenolic compositions were tested. Furthermore, the efficacies of the water and aqueous methanolic leaf extracts were tested against hyperlipidemia-induced oxidative stress in rats. Serum and hepatic antioxidant and oxidative stress markers were tested after feeding the rats with high fat diet together with the extracts or simvastatin for 7 weeks. The results indicated that both leaf extracts attenuated oxidative stress through increasing serum antioxidant enzymes activity and upregulating the expression of hepatic antioxidant genes. Multiple phenolic compounds were detected in the extracts and fractions of C. nutans, although protocatechuic acid was one of the most abundant and may have contributed significantly towards the bioactivities of the extracts. However, synergistic effects of different phenolics may have contributed to the overall bioactivities. C. nutans can be a good source of functional ingredients for the management of oxidative stress-related diseases.

Effects of Methanolic Leaf Extract of <em>Clinacanthus nutans</em> on Fatty Acid Composition and Gene Expression in Male Obese Mice

“…The present study aims to investigate this plant by using doses of methanolic leaf extract of Clinacanthus nutans (MECN) similar to previous research [22,24]. Recent evidence has shown that methanolic leaf extract of Clinacanthus nutans improves lipid profiles in rats [17]. Polyphenols have been known to regulate lipid metabolism by inducing metabolic gene expression or trigger the transcription factors that play a significant part in metabolizing energy [25].…”

“…It is intensively grown in tropical and subtropical Asian countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China and Vietnam [15]. Clinacanthus nutans contains important constituents such as phenolics, flavonoids, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, lupeol, betulin, chlorophyll derivatives, protocatechuic acid, C-glycosyl flavones, vitexin, isovitexin, shaftoside, isomollupentin, 7-O-β-glucopyranoside, orientin, isoorientin, cerebrosides, steroids, triterpenoids, glycerides, monoacylmonogalactosylglycerol and sulfur-containing glucosides [16][17][18]. The phytochemical compounds, namely phenols, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, protocatechuic acid, and terpenes, may have the ability to exert hypolipidemic activity [19].…”

Methanolic Extract of Clinacanthus nutans Leaves can Alter Adipocyte Cellularity, Inflammation and Acetyl Cholinesterase Activity in Male Obese Mice

“…Lindau (Family: Acantheceae) commonly known as Sabah snake grass [28]. This plant is widely used for treating skin rashes, scorpion and insect bites, gastrointestinal complications, dysuria, menstrual function, anemia, jaundice, setting of fractured bones, diabetes mellitus, fever and diuretics [29]. Numerous bioactive have been demonstrated in C. nutans such as phenolics, flavonoids, sitosterol, stigmasterol, and chlorophyll derivatives [29].…”

“…This plant is widely used for treating skin rashes, scorpion and insect bites, gastrointestinal complications, dysuria, menstrual function, anemia, jaundice, setting of fractured bones, diabetes mellitus, fever and diuretics [29]. Numerous bioactive have been demonstrated in C. nutans such as phenolics, flavonoids, sitosterol, stigmasterol, and chlorophyll derivatives [29]. In addition, The C-glycosidic flavones such as shaftoside, isoorientin, orientin, isovitexin, and vitexin have been found to be the major flavonoids in the leaves of C. nutans [30,31], although protocatechnic acid was one of the most abundant [29].…”

“…Numerous bioactive have been demonstrated in C. nutans such as phenolics, flavonoids, sitosterol, stigmasterol, and chlorophyll derivatives [29]. In addition, The C-glycosidic flavones such as shaftoside, isoorientin, orientin, isovitexin, and vitexin have been found to be the major flavonoids in the leaves of C. nutans [30,31], although protocatechnic acid was one of the most abundant [29]. Nonetheless, despite the established polyphenols in C. nutans there is a dearth of information on the anti-obesity properties of the polyphenols.…”