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In this study, the ability of Tinospora crispa aqueous extract (TCAE) to regulate cholesterol metabolism in human hepatoma cancer cell line (Hep G2) was determined. Cytotoxic study was performed by exposing hepatoma cell (Hep G2) towards TCAE with concentration ranging from 0.002 to 20 mg/ml for 24 h at 37°C and with 5% CO2 atmosphere. Result revealed that TCAE was not toxic to the cell. The ability of TCAE to reduce cholesterol in cell culture experiment was carried out by pre-treating Hep G2 with selected concentrations of TCAE (10, 5, 2.5, 1.25 and 0.625 mg/ml) in 6-well plate before the cell was exposed to low density lipoprotein (LDL). The concentration of apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1), lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), scavenger receptor B1 (SRB1) and hepatic Lipase (HL) which involve in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) pathway were determined from the 6-well plate medium. The direct pathway of cholesterol synthesis was performed according to the instruction provided in HMG-CoA Reductase Assay Kit manuals. The results showed that TCAE significantly increase (p

Obesity and overweight are associated with atherosclerosis, fatty liver, hyperlipemia, diabetes mellitus, and various types of cancer. The global prevalence of overweight and obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Here, we investigated the effect of Tamarindus indica pulp aqueous extract (TIE) in diet-induced obese Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were divided into five groups and labeled as follows: the normal control (NC) group received normal diet; the positive control (PC) group received high-fat diet; and the TIE 5, 25, and 50 groups, after the induction of obesity via a high-fat diet, received TIE at 5, 25, or 50 mg/kg orally for 10 weeks. It was observed that TIE decreased the levels of plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglyceride, and increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL), with the concomitant reduction of body weight. Moreover, TIE decreased plasma leptin and reduced fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity and enhanced the efficiency of the antioxidant defense system. TIE exhibits antiobesity effects, as indicated by a significant reduction in adipose tissue weights, as well as lowering the degree of hepatic steatosis in the obesity-induced rats. The extract possesses hepatoprotective activity, as it reversed the plasma liver enzymes level elevation prior to the high-fat diet. In conclusion, TIE improved obesity-related parameters in blood, liver, and adipose tissue in a rat model and suppressed obesity induced by a high-fat diet, possibly by regulating lipid metabolism and lowering plasma leptin and FAS levels. A dose-dependant effect of TIE is detected, where TIE at 50 mg/kg showed the most prominent effect, followed by TIE at 25 mg/kg and, subsequently, 5 mg/kg.

The effect of Tinospora crispa stem aqueous extract in hypercholesterolemic-induced rabbit was investigated. Results from this study showed that the plasma lipid profiles improved with T. crispa supplementation as indicated by reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein levels and increased high density lipoprotein level significantly in T. crispa-treated groups relative to the hypercholesterolemic control group. T. crispa extract was also found to have strong antioxidative properties as evident from low plasma malondialdehyde level in all T. crispa-treated groups when compared with the control. The value of atherosclerotic index was decreased in T. crispa-treated groups in comparison with the hypercholesterolemic control group . At the same time, T. crispa markedly reduced the atherosclerotic lesion formation after 10 weeks of treatment in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Hence, T. crispa can be incorporated as part of the therapeutic regiment together with other hypocholesterolemic drugs in the prevention of atherosclerosis. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The analytical findings of this study provide an additional database for Tinospora crispa, which has not been explored so far. This study suggests that T. crispa extract could be used as part of a therapeutic regimen or combined with other lipid-lowering drugs to positively influence atherosclerosis via its lipid-lowering properties and as a natural source of antioxidant. Hence, the data obtained from this experiment can be useful to both producers and consumers as functional ingredients for processing into health foods in food and nutraceutical industries.

Atherosclerosis is a pathology related to oxidative stress and inflammation. Prevention of atherosclerosis can be achieved by blocking the oxidation and inflammation process that occurs on the endothelial cells. Tinospora cispa, a climber that is commonly found in primary rainforest is widely distributed in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. T. cispa which has been claimed to exert various health promoting effects has been reported to possess anti-diabetic, anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory properties. This study sought to investigate the effect of T. crispa extracts in preventing oxidative stress and inflammation induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–α, respectively. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured on 6-wells plate before treated by TCAE and TCME at various concentrations (100, 200, 400 and 600 µg/ml). After 30 min of incubation, H2O2 or TNF-α (10 ng/ml) was administered on HUVECs. HUVECs were harvested after 24 h and tested for CAT, SOD, GPx, MDA, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and NO using various kit. The result showed that TCAE and TCME showed modulatory effect on H2O2-induced CAT, SOD and GPx activity. Concomitantly, MDA level was reduced by pretreatment of TCAE and TCME for 24 h. In addition, TCAE and TCME showed an inhibitory effect on TNF-α induced secretion of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 signaling molecule while NO secretion was increased. Therefore, these results showed a protective effect of T. crispa extracts on the H2O2–induced oxidative stress and TNF-α-induced inflammation. Key words: Atherosclerosis, Tinospora crispa, oxidative stress, inflammation, H2O2, TNF-α, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).