Effect of olive pomace extracts on hyperlipidaemia.

In this study, we have examined the hypolipidemic effect of olive pomace extracts. Identification and quantitation of maslinic acid and oleanolic acid as the potentially effective components of the pomace extracts were carried out by high performance liquid chromatography methods. Hyperlipidaemia was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by feeding them with a high cholesterol diet for 30 days. The olive pomace extracts were supplemented (200 mg kg⁻¹ body wt day⁻¹) for 15 days. The levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase increased in rats with hyperlipidaemia. Treatment with the olive pomace extracts significantly modulated the abnormalities induced by hyperlipidaemia. Lipid accumulation was decreased in histological findings. This study provides the possibility of utilising the olive pomaces for the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidaemia.