The Effect of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Fig on Paraoxonase1 Enzyme in a Rat Hyperlipidemia Model. An In-Silico and In-Vitro Study

Paraoxonase 1 is a key enzyme against Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. Increased activity of this enzyme can lead to the prevention of atherosclerosis. This study investigated the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of fig on the activity and gene expression of paraoxonase 1. Also, the effect of the most important effective compounds of fig on the function of this enzyme was investigated by simulation studies.

Four groups of ten male rats including control group and hyperlipidemia groups were treated with concentrations of 400 and 800 mg / kg of hydro-alcoholic extract of fig for 90 days. Serum lipid profile was measured, and paraoxonase1 gene expression was detected in liver tissues, as well as paraxonase1 aryl esterase activity in animal serum. Simulation and molecular dynamics studies of the most important effective compounds of fig including gallic acid and rutin were performed using AutoDock v.4.2 and Gromacs 2018 software.

The hydro-alcoholic extract of fig decreased the lipid profile of hyperlipidemia rats (P<0.001), increased gene expression as well as paraoxonase 1 activity (P<0.05). According to the results of molecular dynamics studies, two compounds of rutin and gallic acid with a high tendency to bind to the enzyme paraxonase 1 increase the rotational radius of the enzyme and also increase the activated probability of the enzyme.

The hydro-alcoholic extract of fig not only reduces the lipid profile but also by activating the enzyme paraxonase1 can greatly prevent atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis.