Ethereal Extract of Pepper: Preventing Atherosclerosis and Left Ventricle Remodeling in LDL Receptor Knockout Mice.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. In this study we compared the effects of oral treatment with red pepper ethereal extracts or simvastatin on dyslipidemia, left ventricle remodeling, and atherosclerotic lesions of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor knockout mice (LDLr-/-) fed a hyperlipidic diet. Forty 3-month-old male mice were distributed into four groups: control (C; animals fed a standard diet), HL (ani-mals fed a hyperlipidic diet), and HL+P or HL+S (animals fed a hyperlipidic diet plus red pepper ethereal extracts or simvastatin, respectively). After 60 days, treatment with both red pepper ethereal extracts and simvastatin prevented dyslipidemia, atherosclerotic lesion progression, and left ventricle hypertrophy. Our results suggest a cardioprotective effect of red pepper ethereal extracts in LDLr-/- mice, which is comparable to the well-known effects of simvastatin.

Dry Extract of Passiflora incarnata L. leaves as a Cardiac and Hepatic Oxidative Stress Protector in LDLr-/- Mice Fed High-Fat Diet

ABSTRACT The control of dyslipidemia by using herbal products is an important subject for studies. In this study, we evaluated the effects of dry Passiflora incarnata L. extract over dyslipidemia, left ventricular hypertrophy, and hepatic oxidative stress of LDL receptor knockout mice (LDLr-/-). Forty 4-month old male LDLr-/- mice were distributed into four groups: Group standard diet; Group standard diet and 200 mg/kg of body weight of Passiflora incarnata L. leaf dry extract; Group high-fat diet; Group high-fat diet and 200 mg/kg of body weight of Passiflora incarnata L. leaf dry extract. After 30 days, Passiflora incarnata L. dry extract reduced the effects of the high-fat diet, with a decrease of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and increase of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), as well as a reduction of C-reactive protein, alkaline phosphatase and insulin. There was no effect on glucose, Homa index and enzymes aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. However, the prevention of left ventricular hypertrophy occurred, as well as lipid peroxidation and the production of carbonyl proteins, which are both oxidative stress markers. In conclusion, Passiflora incarnata L. dry extract acts in the prevention of dyslipidemia, consequently, hindering the occurrence of hepatic oxidative stress and the development of left ventricular hypertrophy by the increase of serum HDL, in mice that had the effects of a high-fat diet.