INHIBITION OF CHOLESTEROL AND TRIGLYCERIDES SYNTHESIS BY COSTUS SPECIOSUS (KOEN. EX RETZ.) SMITH PLANT EXTRACT

Adipocyte dysfunction plays an important role in the obesity development. People with a body weight ~ 45% heavier than the average body weight are at risk of death two times greater than the average body weight. The use of anti-obesity drugs have many side effects, so it is necessary to find the anti-obesity drug with low toxicity. Many microbial secondary metabolites and chemically synthesized anti-obesity drugs are available in the market with progressive side effects upon long term use of these medicines and drugs. Plant source antiobesity drugs are potentially sustained safe source of treatment. This ex vivo study was conducted to determine the activity of Costus speciosus plant extract in inhibiting triglycerides and cholesterol synthesis in HepG2 cells. Anti-obesity activity includes reduced formation of lipid droplet in HepG2 cells. The triglyceride levels and lipolytic activity by measuring cholesterol levels was performed based on commercially available kits. This study suggested that the extract of C.speciosus inhibited triglycerides and cholesterol synthesis in HepG2 cell lines with inhibition of 89.25% and 52.01% respectively at the highest concentrations tested. The study also confirmed the anti-adipogenesis activity of plant extract and its potential in inhibiting the synthesis of triglycerides and cholesterol in HepG2 cell.