A Citrus Extract plus Ascorbic Acid Decreases Lipids, Lipid Peroxides, Lipoprotein Oxidative Susceptibility, and Atherosclerosis in Hypercholesterolemic Hamsters

Abstract

A citrus extract containing flavonoids and ascorbic acid was used as a supplement to investigate its effect on lipids in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. Ascorbic acid or the flavonoids were without effect except that ascorbate did significantly raise HDL. After 1 month of feeding, the citrus extract plus ascorbic acid synergistically caused a significant reduction of 77%, 66%, and 40% in plasma total cholesterol, LDL + VLDL, and triglycerides, respectively, in comparison to the control group. The extract was also a synergistic inhibitor of in vitro cupric ion LDL + VLDL oxidation compared with ascorbic acid or the flavonoids alone. In a second 10-week hamster study, citrus extract plus ascorbate also significantly lowered plasma lipids, lipid peroxides, and ex vivo LDL + VLDL oxidizability vs a control group. Citrus extract plus ascorbate strongly inhibited atherosclerosis, and there was a significant correlation between several indices of oxidative susceptibility and atherosclerosis. Keywords: Lipids; atherosclerosis; flavonoids; lipid peroxidation; hamster

Ameliorative effect of tamarind leaf on fluoride-induced metabolic alterations

“…4 Effects of tamarind leaf feeding on hepatic and renal tissue lipid peroxidation and non-enzymatic antioxidants in fluoride-administered rats ratios reduced significantly in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting improvements in hyperlipidaemic status of fluoride-exposed animals. Presently observed high levels of plasma HDL-C in FTi I-III groups could be related to the ascorbic acid and flavonoid content of Ti leaf, as both ascorbic acid and flavonoids have been reported to increase HDL-C content [57,58]. An overall significant decline in lipid profiles and the atherogenic index of Ti leaf powderfed fluoride-intoxicated rats thus indicates the composite antihyperlipidaemic effects of saponins, phytosterols, dietary fibre, polyphenols, flavonoids and ascorbic acid.…”

Hypocholesterolaemic and antioxidant effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra (Linn) in rats

“…Presently observed high level of plasma HDL-cholesterol in both hyper-and normo-cholesterolaemic animals administered with GG root powder as compared to HC and NC groups indicates its efficacy in elevating HDL-cholesterol levels. While dietary saponins and fibers are not known to elevate HDL-cholesterol levels [36,39,41], ascorbic acid and flavonoids are reported to increase the HDL-cholesterol concentrations [45,46]. The GG root contained both ascorbic acid (0.58 gm%) and flavonoids (0.926 gm%) that could have contributed to an increase in HDL-cholesterol concentrations in both GG root powder administered to hyper-and normo-cholesterolaemic animals.…”

“…Several studies suggest that naturally occurring antioxidants such as polyphenols, flavonoids and vitamin-C in diet may play a role as anti-atherogenic agents [45,46,48,49]. In addition to ascorbic acid and flavonoids, the GG root also contained polyphenols (3.22 gm%).…”

Antidyslipidaemic activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra in high fructose diet induced dsyslipidaemic Syrian golden hamsters

“…Presently observed high level of plasma HDL-cholesterol in dyslipidaemic animals administered with GG root ethanolic extract and its fractions as compared to HFD control groups indicates the efficacies of these agents in elevating HDL-cholesterol levels. While saponins are not known to elevate HDL-cholesterol levels (25,29,35), ascorbic acid and flavonoids are reported to increase the HDL-cholesterol concentrations (36,37). The GG root contained both ascorbic acid (0.58 g %) and flavonoids (0.926 g %) that could have contributed to an increase in HDLcholesterol concentrations in treated dyslipidaemic animals.…”