Open AccessProtective effects of Peganum harmala L. extract, harmine and harmaline against human low‐density lipoprotein oxidation
Author(s) -
Berrougui Hicham,
Isabelle Maxim,
Cloutier Martin,
Hmamouchi Mohammed,
Khalil Abdelouahed
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 2042-7158
pISSN - 0022-3573
DOI - 10.1211/jpp.58.7.0012
Subject(s) - harmine , peganum harmala , harmaline , chemistry , antioxidant , low density lipoprotein , vitamin e , lipoprotein , salvia miltiorrhiza , biochemistry , pharmacology , traditional medicine , biology , cholesterol , medicine , alternative medicine , traditional chinese medicine , pathology
Oxidative modification of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) particles has been implicated in the process of atherogenesis. Antioxidants that prevent LDL from oxidation may reduce atherosclerosis. We have investigated the protective effect of Peganum harmala‐extract (P‐extract) and the two major alkaloids (harmine and harmaline) from the seeds of P. harmala against CuSO 4 ‐induced LDL oxidation. Through determination of the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and conjugated diene as well as the lag phase, the extract (P‐extract) and compounds were found to possess an inhibitory effect. Moreover, harmaline and harmine reduced the rate of vitamin E disappearance and exhibited a significant free radical scavenging capacity (DPPH•). However, harmaline had a markedly higher antioxidant capacity than harmine in scavenging or preventive capacity against free radicals as well as inhibiting the aggregation of the LDL protein moiety (apolipoprotein B) induced by oxidation. The results suggested that P. harmala compounds could be a major source of compounds that inhibit LDL oxidative modification induced by copper.