Combination of Berberine and Plant Stanols Significantly Reduce Plasma Cholesterol and Triacylglyceride Concentrations in Golden Syrian Hamsters

Abstract

The objectives of the present study were to examine the effect of plant alkaloid, berberine (BBR) and plant stanols (PS) alone and in combination on plasma cholesterol and triacylglyceride (TG) levels in hamsters. Male Golden Syrian hamsters were fed with either a semi-synthetic control diet containing 0.15% cholesterol and 5% fat or the control diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg∗d of BBR, 1% (w/w) PS, or a combination of either. After 4 wk, the combination of BBR and PS showed a 36% reduction (P < 0.002) in TG levels as compared to the control, while neither BBR nor PS showed a significant effect. Plasma total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol levels were reduced (P < 0.0001) by 22% and 28% after BBR, 30% and 45% after PS supplementation, respectively. The combination of BBR and PS reduced (P < 0.0001) total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol by 42% and 63% compared to control, showing a substantially improved efficacy than either BBR or PS alone. Histopathological examinations of the major organs did not reveal any significant pathological changes due to berberine and/or PS supplementation. It may be concluded that the combined use of BBR and PS lowers plasma TG synergistically and significantly improves the cholesterol-lowering efficiency as compared to either alone in hamsters.