A Study of the Comparative Effects of Hawthorn Fruit Compound and Simvastatin on Lowering Blood Lipid Levels

Abstract

This project studied the lowering blood lipids effect in atherosclerotic ApoE-deficient mice. Group A mice (n = 6), fed with a normal diet, served as the negative control. The experimental groups used mice fed with a high cholesterol diet (HCD) for eight weeks, and then selected for inclusion in the study on the basis of high blood lipid levels and the formation of atherosclerotic lesion plaque, which was indicated by an ultrasound biomicroscopy test. Eighteen mice met the selection criteria (atherosclerotic mice with high blood lipid levels) and these were randomly assigned into three groups B, C and D (n = 6). Group B fed with a HCD, served as the positive control. The intervention Group C was fed with HCD and Simvastatin. The intervention Group D was fed with a HCD and Hawthorn fruit compound (HFC includes Hawthorn and Kiwi fruit extract) for eight weeks. The results showed that after feeding on a HCD, Group B had significantly higher blood lipid levels compared to Group A and this confirmed the validity of Group A and Group B controls in this study. The results also showed that compared to Group B, in both Group C and D, there was a significant reduction in triglyceride and in the ratio between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and serum cholesterol. Moreover a reduction of LDL-C was evident in Group D, whereas a similar effect did not occur in Group C. The results indicate that HFC can be considered for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and prevention of atherosclerosis.

Antiobesity and Vasoprotective Effects of Resveratrol in ApoE-Deficient Mice

“…However, it significantly decreased plasma and hepatic TG levels, although it is one of the most frequently used cholesterol-lowering agents. A study by Xu et al 41 suggested that simvastatin supplementation with a high cholesterol diet significantly lowered plasma TG, but not the LDL-C. Steinmetz et al 42 also suggested that treatment with simvastatin had no effect on the serum cholesterol levels in either normal or hypercholesterolemic mice.…”

Effect ofCrataegusUsage in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: An Evidence-Based Approach

“…Similar study showed that Hawthorn fruit compound lowered blood lipids in atherogenic diet fed, ApoE gene deficient atherosclerotic mice. The results showed that Hawthorn fruit compound significantly reduced the ratio between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and serum cholesterol (TC): (LDL-C)/TC, especially the triglyceride (TG) levels [76]. Besides, TCR can significantly increase the binding of 125 I-LDL to the liver plasma membranes in vitro.…”

Fruits for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases

“…Nevertheless, drugs are not effective on all patients and have side effects that may aggravate the patients’ symptoms and signs. Some fruits (extract) possess similar or even more potent anti-hypertensive, lipid-lowering, and hypoglycemic activities, which has inspired many researchers to explore new therapies for CVDs [9,10,11,12]. The cardioprotective mechanisms of fruits are not entirely clear, but their outstanding antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties are considered principal [13].…”