Cholesterol-lowering and artherosclerosis inhibitory effect of sibu olive in cholesterol fed-rabbit

Abstract

The present study was designed to explore the possible cholesterol lowering effect of Sibu Olive (SO) supplementation on cholesterol level and atherosclerosis inhibitory effect in hypercholesterolemia rabbits. Atotal of five groups (n = 7); NC (normal diet), PC (normal diet+0.5% cholesterol), HS (hypercholestrolemic diet+10 mg kg day- 1 simvastatin), HF (hypercholsterolemic diet+5% fullfat SO) and HD group (hypercholesterolemia diet+5% defatted SO) were established. Body weight and lipid profile analysis [total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] were compared to PC. There was rise in body weight changes (1.75-2.24 kg) of the animals. The HD group showed significant reduction in total cholesterol (96.3%) and LDL-C (26.5%) together with increment in HDL-C (46.8%) relative to PC. Furthermore, the atherosclerotic plaque formation in HD group diminished by 79.4% compared to PC. The possible cholesterol lowering effect was contributed by the presence of polyphenols such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanidins and anthocyanin of the SO fruit. Hence, these findings are beneficial as it provide alternative means to treat hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. © 2012 Academic Journals Inc.