Effectiveness of Amygdalus mongolica oil in hyperlipidemic rats and underlying antioxidant processes.

The seeds of Amygdalus mongolica contain various constituents including flavonoids and vitamin E, which are known to exert antioxidant effects. However, the safety of the oil extract of this compound is not fully known. The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical properties of A. mongolica oil, identify the constituents and subsequently assess the effectiveness of utilizing this seed extract in hyperlipidemia as an antioxidant agent. In particular, the toxicity and safety of A. mongolica oil were examined with emphasis on effects on blood lipids level and serum lipid peroxidation using a hyperlipidemia rat model. Treatment with 20 ml/kg A. mongolica oil produced no apparent adverse effects after 14 days in normal female and male rats. A dose of 2.5-10 ml/kg A. mongolica oil administered to hyperlipidemic male rats significantly decreased serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-C (LDL-C), malondialdehyde (MDA), total cholesterol high-density lipoprotein-C (TC/HDL-C), LDL-C/HDL-C, and atherosclerosis index(AI). In contrast, glutathione (GSH) levels and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were significantly increased. Data demonstrated that A. mongolica oil may be utilized in conditions of hyperlipidemia due to its antioxidant effects.

[Determination of elements in the leaves of Prunus mongolica by ICP-AES].

For determination of elements in the leaves of Prunus mongolica, the samples were digested by nitric acid-perchloric. The contents of Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Al, Sr, Sn and Pb in the leaves of Prunus mongolica were determined by ICP-AES, at the same time a blank experiment was carried out. The results showed that the recovery rate of the ten elements was between 93% and 110%, and the relative standard deviation was between 0.33% and 2.94%. This method is fast, simple and accurate.