Inhibition of LDL Oxidation and Foam Cell Development of Tannin Methanol Extract from Citrus limon and Honey Formulation on Cell lines

Background: C. limon rich in Vitamin C was shown to have many health benefits having therapeutic properties. Honey was considered as an natural sweetener said to be immune booster. Hence the formulation of C. limon and honey formulation was studied to prevent oxidation and foam cell inhibition. Objectives: The present study was aimed to isolate tannins from Citrus limon (C. limon) fruit juice with a honey mixture to evaluate the antilipidemic and antioxidant activity in cell lines. Materials and Methods: Tannins were isolated from C. limon fruit juice with a honey mixture with two different solvents, i.e., methanol and water and analysed for antioxidant and LDL oxidation inhibition activity. Further tested on RAW 264.7 and THP-1 cells by employing in-vitro assays for cytotoxicity, foam cell development, inhibiting proliferation and, apoptosis. The tannin methanol extract was characterized using HPLC and GC-MS. Results: The content of total tannins present was found to be 453.96 mg tannic acid equivalent (TAE)/g methanol extract, whereas 415.87 mg TAE/g in tannin aqueous extract. The highest antilipidemic and antioxidant activity were seen in tannin methanol extract. It was seen that 240 μg/mL tannin methanol extract efficiently inhibited oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (55.89% at 5 hr), thus preventing foam cell development, inhibiting proliferation and, apoptosis in cultured RAW 264.7 and THP-1 cells. GCMS revealed certain compounds. Conclusion: This study showed that C. limon with honey tannin methanol extract exhibits potential for antiatherosclerosis activity henceforth, considering the medicinal properties of the active phytochemicals, which can be used as a source of naturally occurring nutraceuticals, revealed the potential to prevent oxidation and foam cell formation.