Anti-hypertriglyceridemic Activity of Cornus Mas in Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertriglyceridemia is among the multiple metabolic derangements seen in diabetes mellitus. Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.), belongs to the family Cornacea and has been shown to be helpful in treating hyperlipidemia. Aim: The study investigates mechanisms of action of dietary Cornelian Cherry fruit Dried Powder (CCDP) for ameliorating hypertriglyceridemia in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: An experimental study with parallel controls was performed. Fifty six male adult rats were randomly assigned into 8 equal groups and treated as follows for 4 weeks. Negative control: Normal rats, basic diet; positive control: streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, basic diet; T1 to T4 groups: diabetic rats fed with diets containing 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 g/ 100 g BW CCDP, respectively; T5: diabetic rats fed with basic diet plus 100 mg/kg BW of fenofibrate in drinking water and T6: normal rats fed with basic diet containing 1 g/100 g BW CCDP. Selected serum biochemical parameters, Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) level as well as Adipose Tissue Hormone Sensitive Lipase (HSL) and Hepatic Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Alpha (PPARα) levels were assayed. Analysis of data was performed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test with p<0.05 as the significant level. Results: Treatment with CCDP at all dosages as well as fenofibrate decreased serum triglycerides and VLDL levels as compared to positive control. Serum AST significantly decreased in T1, T3 and T4 groups as compared to positive control rats. Serum LPL levels in the diabetic positive control group decreased significantly as compared to negative control. Rats in T1, T2, T4 and T5 groups showed increased serum LPL levels as compared to positive control. No significant difference was observed in hepatic PPARα levels among CCDP-treated and negative or positive controls. Positive control rats showed a significant decrease in adipose tissue HSL levels. Administration of CCDP in T3 group significantly increased HSL values as compared to positive control. CCDP in healthy rats did not change any of these parameters. Conclusion: Findings of the present study confirms positive effects of C. mas fruit on some liver function enzymes and hypertriglyceridemia and clarifies that increased serum LPL levels is at least partly responsible for hypotriglyceridemic effect of the fruit in rats with STZ-induced diabetes mellitus.