Protects against Oxidative Stress and Modulates LDL Receptor and Fatty Acid Synthase Gene Expression in Hypercholesterolemic Rats.

Hypercholesterolemia is a metabolic disorder associated with oxidative stress. The present study investigated the protective effect of extract on hypercholesterolemia-induced oxidative stress in the liver and heart of high-cholesterol-diet- (HCD-) fed rats. The experimental animals received HCD for 10 weeks and were concurrently treated with 300 or 600 mg/kg extract. HCD-fed rats showed a significant increase in serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, vLDL-cholesterol, and cardiovascular risk indices along with decreased HDL-cholesterol and antiatherogenic index. The extract significantly improved dyslipidemia and atherogenesis in HCD-fed rats. HCD induced a significant increase in serum transaminases, creatine kinase-MB, and proinflammatory cytokines. In addition, HDC induced a significant increase in hepatic and cardiac lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant enzymes. Treatment with the extract significantly alleviated liver and heart function markers, decreased proinflammatory cytokines and lipid peroxidation, and enhanced the antioxidant defenses. Also, the extract significantly reduced the expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and increased the expression of LDL receptor in the liver of HCD-fed rats. In conclusion, the extract has a potent antihyperlipidemic and cholesterol-lowering effect on HCD-fed rats. The beneficial effects of the extract were mediated through the increased antioxidant defenses, decreased inflammation and lipid peroxidation, and modulated hepatic FAS and LDL receptor gene expression.