&lt;i&gt;Physalis peruviana&lt;/i&gt; pomace suppresses highcholesterol diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats

M F Ramadan

doi:10.3989/gya.047412

Abstract

Physalis peruviana (goldenberry) is a promising fruits that can be an ingredient in several functional foods. No reports are available on the effect of the administration of goldenberry pomace on different aspects of the plasma lipid profile in experimental animals. According to the chemical composition of the fruit pomace which includes high levels of bioactive compounds, the hypothesis was that feeding Physalis peruviana pomace may have health-promoting and hypercholesterolemic impacts on rats fed a high cholesterol diet (HCD). Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of feeding goldenberry pomace on hypercholesterolemia by analyzing the changes in lipid profiles in HCD fed rats. The chemical composition, lipid profiles (fatty acids, tocopherols and sterols) and phenolic contents of the fruit pomace were determined. Generally, rats fed the fruit pomace showed lower levels of total cholesterol (TC), total triacylglycerol (TAG) and total low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol as well as higher levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in comparison with animals fed HCD and cholesterol free diets (CFD). Histological examinations of the liver and kidney were also studied. The results demonstrated that goldenberry pomace consumption provides overall beneficial effects on reversing HCD associated detrimental changes.

Highlights

Berries have been shown to provide health benefits because of their high antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber (Zhao, 2007)
We examined whether goldenberry pomace might improve the lipid profile and oxidative damage resulting from an high cholesterol diet (HCD) in rats
The consumption of cholesterol-enriched diet is regarded as an important factor in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) as it leads to the development of hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis and abnormal lipid oxidation/metabolism

Summary

Introduction

Berries have been shown to provide health benefits because of their high antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber (Zhao, 2007). Goldenberries or cape gooseberries (Physalis peruviana L., Solanaceae) are short-lived perennials. The Goldenberry has been grown in Egypt, South Africa, India, New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain (Ramadan and Mörsel, 2003; 2004). The single plant may yield 300 fruits and carefully tended plants can provide 20 to 33 tons/ hectare. The fruit has been used as a good source of provitamin A, minerals, vitamin C and vitamin B-complex. Goldenberry juice yield is about 70% of the berry weight (Ramadan and Mörsel, 2007). The juice is rich in fat-soluble bioactive compounds (tocopherols and phytosterols) and could be a novel source of functional drinks (Ramadan, 2011).

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