Effects of Prickly Pear Dried Leaves, Artichoke Leaves, Turmeric and Garlic Extracts, and Their Combinations on Preventing Dyslipidemia in Rats

Nidal A Qinna,Basma S Kamona,Adnan A Badwan,Khalid Z Matalka,Hashem Taha,Tawfiq M Alhussainy

doi:10.5402/2012/167979

Nidal A Qinna, Basma S Kamona + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/167979

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Abstract

The successful use of herbal combinations in managing diseases or conditions over a single herb has lead us to evaluate the anti-dyslipidemic properties of the combination of the artichoke leaves extract, turmeric extract, prickly pear dried leaves (PPL) and garlic extract versus each one alone in two different hyperlipidemic animal models. A two-week treatment of each of the natural extracts, combination 1 (artichoke, turmeric and PPL) or combination 2 (artichoke, turmeric, PPL and garlic) prior to a single intraperitoneal injection of Pluronic F-127 resulted in decreasing significantly serum LDL levels by garlic and PPL extracts and serum LDL/HDL ratios by turmeric, PPL, combination 1 and 2. In a 10-day high fat diet model, only the combination 1 and 2 lowered serum cholesterol, LDL by 8–12%, decreased significantly triglycerides, LDL/HDL ratio; and increased significantly HDL (P < 0.0001). However, a long term treatment of each natural product for 7 weeks resulted in decreasing significantly serum LDL levels and LDL/HDL ratio (P < 0.05–0.0001). Furthermore, only artichoke and PPL inhibited significantly HMG-CoA reductase activity (P < 0.05). In conclusion, short term, as well as long term, treatment using the combination of artichoke, turmeric, PPL and garlic extract prevents dyslipidemia; partially through inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase.

Highlights

Dyslipidemia can be defined as the elevation of cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol serum levels while maintaining low serum levels of highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
Administration of Pluronic F-127 led to very high serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, and LDL, but not HDL in rats (Figure 1)
In order to understand the relationship between disorders in cholesterol metabolism and atherogenesis and to test possible treatments for the reduction of serum lipid levels, various models are found to induce hyperlipidemia in rats [2, 37]

Summary

Introduction

Dyslipidemia can be defined as the elevation of cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol serum levels while maintaining low serum levels of highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol This imbalance is considered a high-risk factor for inducing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Natural remedies were used to overcome such imbalance in lipids metabolism and are claimed to be useful in controlling hyperlipidemia and associated pathologies [2]. Plants such as artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is an important component of the Mediterranean diet and it is rich in bioactive phenolic compounds, inulin, fibers, and minerals [3]. Artichoke extract has been found to exhibit antioxidant properties in cultured endothelial cells and monocytes [4] and has lipid lowering properties [3, 6,7,8]

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