Influence of Rhizophora apiculata barks extract on Cholesterol, Triglyceride, LDL, and HDL Levels of Rattus norvegicus (Sprague Dawley) fed high-cholesterol diet

Abstract

Background:Hypercholesterolemia is a lipid metabolic condition associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death worldwide. Rhizophora apiculata is a plant that grows along the Indonesian coast and may provide significant support for using traditional medicine. Bioactive molecules extracted from Rhizophora apiculta can be used in supplementary medicines and considered to be an alternative way to address the ever-increasing requirements of novel drugs. More research is needed to substantiate the usage of Rhizophora apiculate astraditional medicine.This study aims to investigate the effects of Rhizophora apiculata barks (RAB) ethanolic extract on lipid metabolism, namely Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), LDL, and HDL levels in mice fed a high-cholesterol diet (HCD). Methods: The study comprised 30 white male rats (Rattus norvegicus) of the Sprague Dawley strain, aged 2-3 months and weighing 200-250 grams. Six groups of mice (n = 5) were formed. Group 1 was fed a conventional diet; Group 2 was given the High-Cholesterol Diet (HCD); Group 3 was given HCD and simvastatin 40 mg/kgbwt (p.o. ); and Groups 4, 5, and 6 were treated with HCD and RAB extract 56.55 mg/kgbwt (p.o.), RAB 28.28 mg/kgbwt (p.o.), and RAB 14.14 mg/kgbwt. All of the treatments began on the same day and lasted 30 days. Results: RAB-treated animal groups (56.55; 28.28; and 14.14 mg/kgbwt) had markedly lessened TC levels by 41.18%, 35.57%, and 9.24%, respectively; TG levels declined by 45.85%; 43.77%; and 27.74%, respectively; LDL levels reduced by 26.08%; 16.55%; and 11.21%, respectively; and HDL levels increased by 19.37%; 15.12%; and 13.21%, respectively. Conclusion: RAB-treated animal groups (56.55; 28.28; and 14.14 mg/kg) had markedly lessened total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and increased HDL levels (p < 0.01) related to the HCD alone batch. These findings imply that the ethanolic extract of Rhizophora apiculata barks influences lipid metabolism and has potency as traditional medicine.