Triglycerides play a central role in the

Triglycerides play a central role in the regulation of lipoprotein interactions to maintain lipid metabolism. These lipids are not directly atherogenic but represent an important marker of atherosclerosis risk [24]. The elevated plasma triglyceride concentrations have been also associated with cholesterol esterification and very atherogenic LDL deposits [25,26]. Our experimental study shows that the phenolic extract from O. basilicum significantly reduced triglycerides levels. This lowering activity can be explained by the enhancement of the plasma lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activities as shown with other plant extracts [27]. On the other hand, free radicals were shown to cause oxidative modification of biomolecules contributing to oxidative stress which is believed to be the origin of a many diseases including atherosclerosis [3]. The suppression of the oxidative modification of plasma lipid and low density lipoprotein by antioxidants constituted one of the major targets of many anti-atherogenic agents preventing atherosclerosis and related coronary artery disorder [28]. In this regards, natural antioxidants can scavenge and react with free radicals, and then neutralize their destructive effect against biomolecules. Dietary phenolics may help to provide protection against atherosclerosis by contributing, along with endogenous antioxidants to the total antioxidant defense system of the human body. Besides, many experimental investigations have demonstrated that phenolic compounds from diet, medicinal and aromatic plants possess high antioxidant potential due to their free hydroxyl groups and protect efficiently against free radical-related pathologies [29]. Our experimental study demonstrated that phenolic extract from sweet basil has exerted a preventive effect against lipoprotein-rich plasma oxidation. As demonstrated by others, phenolic compounds may scavenge free radicals and then stop chain reaction of lipid oxidation [30]. They may also chelate prooxidant metal interleukin 2 receptor enhancing free radical production and preserve the HDL-associated paraoxonase activity preventing low density lipoprotein oxidation [31,32]. The HPLC analysis of the extract led as to identify 4 phenolic acids: caftaric acid, chicoric acid, rosmarinic acid and cafeic acid. We note also that the rosmarinic acid represents the major compound in the extract and can be strongly implicated in the observed biological activities. Our result accords with the analysis reported by Kwee and Niemeyer, the authors showed that O. basilicum contains the same phenolic acids [32]. We conclude that this work provides an important biological activities of the culinary herb O. basilicum. The plant is rich in rosmarinic acid which can be the major compound, acting alone or in synergy with other phenolic acids, responsible for the hypolipedimic and antioxidant activities. These results could be exploited to develop a natural preparation able to prevent hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.
Conflicts of interest
Acknowledgment
Introduction Natural dyes are reported to be biodegradable, less toxic to human health as compared to synthetic dyes and cause no skin dermatitis and allergy [1]. Toxicity and mutagenicity of synthetic dyes have increasingly become a major occupational hazard and challenge in regard to their use and safety in the textile industry [2]. However, studies on toxicity of natural dyes are very limited. The vast majority of natural dye constituents are non-toxic, and have a long history of use for treatment of different diseases and complaints. Several natural dyes are also used as colouring matters in food, for which a low toxicity is obviously crucial. Even so, annatto, cohineal (carmine), saffron and turmeric appear on lists of permitted food additives in the EU and USA [3,4]. Caesalpinia sappan is a traditional medicinal plant cultivated in India, Mayanmar, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and the Malay Peninsula, and is distributed domestically in China, Fujia and Taiwan. Many pharmacological activities of C. sappan heart wood are used as pH-sensitive acid-base indicator and a medicinally useful dye [5,6]. It has also been used to treat diabetic complications [7] and to improve blood circulation [8]. Extracts of C. sappan have been shown to exert various pharmacological effects, including anti-hypercholesterolemia, sedation, and depression of central nervous system [9].