Lipid Profile of Python fat and its Anti-Inflammatory Potentials

Abstract

Ethnozoological studies have shown that Python sebae, is associated with medicinal uses in Nigeria. This study was designed to determine the chemical composition of the oil extracted from the body fat of Python sebae and to evaluate its anti-inflammatory potentials. The Python fat used in the study were obtained from two (2) locations and were tagged: Fat Python A (FPA) and Fat Python D (FPD). The fatty acid profile was identified using GC-MS. The anti-inflammatory activity of the fat was tested using egg albumin-induced paw oedema in rats and membrane stabilization (heat-induced and hypotonicity-induced haemolysis of human red blood cells (HBRCs). The physicochemical properties of FPA and FPD showed peroxide value (2.25 ± 0.21 and 0.90 ± 0.14), acid value (34.08 ± 0.17and 15.82 ± 0.16 mg KOH/g), saponification value (160.88 ± 0.88 and 179.05 ± 0.66 mg KOH/Kg) for FPA and FPD, respectively and the fatty acid composition of the fixed oils of Python sebae identified 12 constituents. The percentages of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were 22.78 % and 44.06 % for FPA, respectively and 17.91 % and 74.76 % for FPD, respectively. The most abundant components being oleic (40.19 %) and linoleic (34.54 %). The Python sebae fat samples (FPA and FPD) were found to significantly (p < 0.05) reduce the oedema induced by the phlogistic agent in rats in a dose-related manner and the reduction was during the early and later phases of the inflammation. Also, FPA and FPD exhibited membrane-stabilizing property, as it significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the levels of haemolysis of HRBCs exposed to heating and hypotonic solution. Fat extracted from the Python sebae revealed a potent anti-inflammatory activity due to its fatty acid compositions and can be exploited for pharmaceutical and industrial applications.