BACKGROUND The HMG-CoA reductase is key enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis which potentially contributes in management of hypercholesterolemia. The present study was designed to assess the inhibitory effect of phytoconstituents of an ethanolic extract of Prosopis cineraria pods on HMG - CoA reductase and regression potential of atherosclerotic plaque. METHODS Healthy, adult male, albino rabbits in which hypercholesterolemia was induced by supplying the high fat diet and a supplement of cholesterol powder with coconut oil (500 mg/5 ml/Day/kg body weight) for 15 days, were used as a disease model. Phytochemical analysis of an ethanolic extract Prosopis cineraria pods was conducted using LCMS, GCMS and FTIR analysis. Further, in-vitro, in-vivo and in-silico assessments were performed. RESULTS The in-vitro assessment of HMG -CoA reductase activity indicated a 67.1 and 97.3% inhibition by the extract and a standard drug (Pravastatin), respectively. Additionally, an in-silico evaluation was made using appropriate docking software and results also indicated as significant interactions of the identified compounds with the target enzyme. Treatment of rabbits with the ethanolic extract of P. cineraria pod resulted in significant (P ≤ 0.001) reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, and triglyceride. Accordingly, reductions were occurred in atherosclerotic plaque, intima and media of aortal wall along with lumen volume of the aorta significantly increased (P ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION It can be illustrating that the ethanolic extract of Prosopis cineraria pod contains potent bioactive phytocompounds might be inhibit HMG - CoA reductase and have regression potential of atherosclerotic plaque.

中文翻译：

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瓜果Prosopis cineraria的乙醇荚果提取物的植物成分触发了高胆固醇血症兔的HMG-CoA还原酶抑制作用和动脉粥样硬化斑块消退。

背景技术HMG-CoA还原酶是胆固醇生物合成的关键酶，其可能有助于控制高胆固醇血症。本研究的目的是评估植物提取物Prosopis cineraria pods的乙醇提取物的植物成分对HMG-CoA还原酶和动脉粥样硬化斑块消退潜力的抑制作用。方法采用健康，成年雄性白化病兔，通过高脂饮食和胆固醇粉补充椰子油（500 mg / 5 ml /天/ kg体重）持续15天而诱发高胆固醇血症，作为疾病模型。使用LCMS，GCMS和FTIR分析法对乙醇提取物Prosopis cineraria荚进行了植物化学分析。此外，进行了体外，体内和计算机模拟评估。结果HMG-CoA还原酶活性的体外评估表明提取物和标准药物（普伐他汀）的抑制作用分别为67.1％和97.3％。另外，使用适当的对接软件进行了计算机内评估，结果还表明所鉴定的化合物与目标酶之间存在显着相互作用。用枸杞荚果的乙醇提取物处理兔子，可使总胆固醇，LDL胆固醇，VLDL胆固醇和甘油三酸酯显着降低（P≤0.001）。因此，随着主动脉腔容积的增加，动脉粥样硬化斑块，内膜和主动脉壁中膜的减少均显着增加（P≤0.001）。