Abstract
An ethanol extract from Embelia ribes Burm (Myrsinaceae) fruits was investigated for its antihyperhomocysteinemic and lipid-lowering potential in methionine-induced hyperhomocysteinemia rats. Hyperhomocysteinemia was induced by methionine (1 g/kg, p.o., 30 days) through drinking water in male albino rats. A significant (p < 0.01) increase in homocysteine, lactate dehydrogenase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein levels in serum and lipid peroxides levels in heart homogenates with a concomitant decrease in serum high-density lipoprotein and myocardial glutathione levels were observed in pathogenic control rats compared with normal healthy control rats. Furthermore, ethanol Embelia ribes extract (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o., 30 days) treatment in both the doses significantly reversed all the above-mentioned parameters compared with pathogenic control rats. The results of test drug were comparable with folic acid (100 mg/kg, p.o.), a standard antihyperhomocysteinemic agent. The results indicated that ethanol Embelia ribes extract has significant antihyperhomocysteinemic and lipid-lowering potential in hyperhomocysteinemic rats.