effect of methanol extract of primula elatior seeds on lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic adult male rabbits and its antioxidants activity

ABSTRACT

Hypercholesterolemia, high cholesterol diet and oxidative stress increase serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein [LDL]- cholesterol levels resulting in increased risk for development of atherosclerosis. The cholesterol lowering effect of dietary plants has been well studied and various plants were shown to be helpful in lowering plasma cholesterol levels and encouraging safety profile. Many plants contain antioxidant compounds arid these compounds protect cells against the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species. This study was carried out to determine the effect of methanol extract of primula elatior seeds on serum lipid levels, serum lipid peroxidation and whether it can reduce or prevent atherosclerotic lesion in aorta and fatty changes in liver in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. The rabbits were divided into four groups. Group I fed with standard chow diet for six weeks. Group II fed with standard diet supplemented with 1%cholesierol [atherogenic diet] for six weeks. Group III fed with atherogenic diet and Primula elatior seeds extract [40 mg/kg body weight per day] through stomach tube for six weeks. Group IV fed with the atherogenic diet for six weeks, then stop atherogenic diet and fed with cholesteroifree diet and Primula elatior seeds extract with same dose in group III for another 6 weeks. Feeding cholesterol significantly increased plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and malnodialdyhyde. It decreased total antioxidants. Treatment with methanol extract of primnula elatior seeds decreased significantly the total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and malnodialdyhyde levels. HDL-cholesterol and total antioxidants levels increased significantly. These play a key role in the protection against oxidative damages and improvement of lipid profile. The histopathological findings confirmed that methanol extract ofprimula elatior seeds had the ability to decrease the progression of fotty changes in the liver and some atherosclerotic lesions in aorta. Intima/media ratio was significantly also decreased. In conclusion, the use of primula elatior seeds could be useful in management and/or prevention of atherosclerosis and 50 reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke