Anti-Thrombogenic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Solvent Fractions from Leaves of Zanthoxylum Schinifolium (Sancho Namu) in Rats Fed High Fat Diet

ABSTRACT

This study was performed to investigate anti-thrombogenic, anti-inflammatory effects of n-BuOH (B) and CH2Cl2 (MC) fractions extracted from Sancho (Zanthoxylum. schinifolium) leaves in rats fed high fat diets. The experimental animal groups were consisted of eight including one 5% fat (N) and one 20% fat (H) without the test materials in diets and six H groups of feeding three levels (50, 100 and 150 mg/day) of the B and the MC fractions from Z. schinifolium, respectively. Plasma activated partial thromboplastin times and thrombin times of H group were decreased compared to the N group, but they were increased by feeding the MC fraction of 50 mg and over. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte 5'-lipoxygenase activities and leukocyte leukotriene B4 contents of the H group were significantly increased compared to the N group, but they were decreased in the 100 mg and 150 mg of B fraction or the 150 mg of MC fraction fed groups. Liver cytochrome P450, O2-, H2O2 and GSSG contents were increased by the high fat diet but decreased by feeding the B fraction or the MC fraction, while GSH content and glutathione S-transferase activity lowered by high fat diet were increased by feeding the two solvent fractions. The effects of the solvent fractions were evident at the level of 100 mg/day and over. The present results confirmed that two solvent fractions from the leaves of Z. schinifolium have enhancing effects on antithrombosis and anti-inflammation partly by antioxidant action and partly by direct modulation of the respective processeds. In conclusion, the n-BuOH and CH2Cl2 fractions from leaves of Z. schinifolium can be utilized as the proper ingredients of functional foods for preventing chronic degenerative disease.