Abstract
In this study, 7,8-dihydroxy-3-(4-methylphenyl) coumarin (DHMPC), a new coumarin derivative,
was tested for the first time to determine whether it had any antioxidant and lipid
lowering effects. Hypercholesterolemia was induced by feeding rats with a high cholesterol
diet for 17 days. The lipid lowering and antioxidant effects of DHMPC were compared
with those of hesperidin (CAS 520-26-3) and rutin (CAS 153-18-4), which have been
pharmacologically determined as potential lipid lowering and antioxidant agents. DHMPC
significantly decreased serum total cholesterol levels but not as efficient as hesperidin.
When the ratios of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) to total
cholesterol were evaluated, the most significant changes were observed in DHMPC and
rutin treatments. The results of serum triglyceride levels indicate that DHMPC and
hesperidin did not significantly decrease triglyceride level when compared to rutin
group but prevented it to rise. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased as expected
in high cholesterol diet groups but no significant decrease was observed for serum
MDA levels in all treated groups. In contrast to serum MDA levels, liver homogenates
MDA levels decreased in all treated groups but a considerable decrease was not observed
for DHMPC treated group. Liver homogenates glutathione (GSH) levels drastically decreased
in hyperlipidemic group and increased in all treated groups. As a conclusion DHMPC
displayed both antioxidant and lipid lowering effects and can be a candidate drug
for further studies.
Key words
Antioxidants - CAS 153-18-4 - CAS 520-26-3 - Coumarin derivatives - 7,8-Dihydroxy-3-(4-methylphenyl)
coumarin - Flavonoids - Hesperidin - Lipid lowering agents - Rutin
