In vitro pancreatic lipase inhibition potential of Panchavalkala Aqueous and Ethanolic bark extracts.

Abstract

Background: Hyperlipidemia and obesity are excessive accumulation of fat in Asthayi (unstable form)   and Sthayi roopa (stable form) within the body that may have deleterious health effects. One of the approached methods of treating obesity and impaired fat metabolism is inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity. Pancreatic lipase breaks down triglycerides into fatty acids which then get absorbed through the duodenal mucosa. A pancreatic lipase inhibitor prevents the formation of fatty acids and hence prevents accumulation of fats in the body. Objective: To evaluate Panchavalkala dravyas individually and together both in aqueous and ethanol extracts for inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase. Materials and methods: In the present study, aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Nyagrodha (Ficus benghalensis L.), Udumbara (Ficus racemosa L.), Ashwatha (Ficus religiosa L.), Plaksha (Ficus virens Aiton) and Parisha (Thespesia populnea (L.)Sol.ex Correa) their mixture (1:1:1:1:1 combination) were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on Tri Acyl Glycerol Lipase enzyme using in vitro assay. In vitro pancreatic lipase inhibition activity study is carried out on both aqueous and ethanoic extracts of PVK dravyas together and on individual drugs. Orlistat is used as standard synthetic drug and caffeine as natural positive control. Results: PVK dravyas together and individually exhibited potent PL inhibitory activity except ethanoic extract of Parisha (Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol.ex Correa). Individually Ashwatha- Ficus religiosa L. EE has shown potent pancreatic lipase inhibition with an IC₅₀ value of 18.2 μg/ml and Udumbara -Ficus racemosa L. AE shown IC₅₀ value of 29.47μg/ml when compared to orlistat the IC₅₀ value is 30.59μg/ml. Conclusion: The inhibitory activity was demonstrated by PVK drugs together can play a beneficial role in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and obesity.