Microencapsulation And Application Of Catha Edulis Extract On Sexual Behaviour, Body Weight And Blood Lipid Profiles In Rats
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Date
2011-04
Authors
Aziz, Hesham Hasan Hussein Abdul
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Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Catha edulis (CE) which is commonly known as khat has been reported to improve sexual motivation and has anti-obesity property. Khat is traditionally consumed via chewing of the leaf followed by slowly swallowing the juices for the desired effect. This study aimed to simulate the sustained release of khat content through the preparation of sustained release microcapsules of khat extract. The effect of khat extract and the sustained release microcapsules on the sexual motivation, vaginal secretions, estradiol levels, food intake, body weight, blood cholesterol and triglycerides levels was examined in rats. Gelatin was used to prepare the microcapsules but it was not able to encapsulate water soluble core compounds, such as pseudoephedrine HCl, verapamil HCl, propranolol HCl and paracetamol as well as a mixture of paracetamol and pseudoephedrine HCl. In this regard, ovalbumin was incorporated for soluble core compounds. Ovalbumin could act as a protective layer between the core material and the gelatin coating, preventing the partitioning of the soluble core compound out of the microcapsules. Moreover, the ovalbumin-gelatin coat could sustain the release of drug. The ovalbumin-gelatin was subsequently used to prepare khat extract microcapsules. The khat-ovalbumin-gelatin microcapsules enhanced sexual motivation, up-regulated estradiol, and increased vaginal secretions in female rats. Oral administration of khat extract was found to reduce the body weight, food intake, blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels of rats, and the effect could last for one week. When khat extract was formulated as microcapsules, the effect was extended to three weeks. The effect was extended further to 8 weeks without observation of rebound, when the microcapsules were given as subcutaneous injection. Sustaining the release of khat extract correlated directly with the reduction in body weight, blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The subcutaneous injection was more effective than the oral route for khat extract administration. The effect of khat extract in reducing blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels was further enhanced when combined with garlic extract.
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Keywords
Microencapsulation and application of catha edulis extract , on sexual behaviour, body weight and blood lipid profiles in rats