Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum on selected traditional and novel biochemical factors of cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerotic lesions in hypercholesterolemic rabbits: A comparison between the extract and lovastatin

Abstract

Context:Evidence suggests that diets with high contents of cholesterol will increase serum lipoproteins and apolipoproteins, thereby increase risk of atherosclerosis. According to literature, some plants show hypolipidemic, hypocholestrolemic, and antiatherosclerotic activities.Aims:In this study, antiatherosclerotic effect of Hypericum perforatum hydroalcoholic extract on hypercholesterolemic rabbits was compared with that of lovastatin.Materials and Methods:Twenty five mature male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into five groups of five and were fed for 60 days as follows: Standard diet (GroupI), standard diet and hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum (150 mg/kg daily)(GroupII), standard diet, hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum (150 mg/ kg daily) and cholesterol (1% of food content) (Group III), standard diet and cholesterol (1% of food content)(GroupIV), and finally standard diet, lovastatin (10 mg/kg), and cholesterol (1% of foodcontent) (GroupV).Results:Hypericum perforatum extract significantly decreased the levels of apolipoprotein B(apoB), apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A (apoB/apoA), triglyceride, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, oxidized LDL, malondialdehyde, and C-reactive protein (CRP) as well as atherosclerosis index, and increased high density lipoprotein and apoA in rabbits of Group III compared to the rabbits of Group IV. The effect of Hypericum perforatum extract in decreasing the level of some biochemical factors like apoB, apoB/apoA, and CRP was meaningfully more than that of lovastatin. Histopathological findings confirmed that hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum restricted the atherosclerotic lesions.Conclusions:This study indicates that hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum possesses hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerotic effects and could be beneficial in the management of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.

Effect of Hypericum perforatum aqueous extracts on serum lipids, aminotransferases, and lipid peroxidation in hyperlipidemic rats

“…Our results revealed no significant changes in HDL-CH levels in the rats treated with EHP. In contrast with Zou et al, Asgary et al reported that EHP was able to increase HDL-CH levels ( 1 , 3 ). In addition, it has been previously shown that the flavonoid components of H. perforatum can increase HDL-CH levels by augmenting the synthesis of apolipoprotein A-I ( 12 ).…”

“…A growing body of evidence suggests that patients with high levels of total cholesterol (TCH), high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-CH), and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-CH) are at a greater risk of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease ( 1 - 3 ). Oxidative stress plays an important role in the etiology of these conditions.…”

“…Given that atherosclerosis is a complex inflammatory disease involving vascular endothelial cells, lipid-engorged macrophages, and smooth muscle cells, it appears that antioxidants can be used for the reduction of atherosclerosis formation ( 1 , 6 ).…”

Nuclear Receptors in Vascular Biology

“…Humanized-PXR mice are resistant to high-fat diet-induced obesity, similar to that found in PXR knockout mice [44], findings that are consistent with a protective function for human PXR and that question the value of interpreting the previous knockout mouse studies as relevant to humans. In further support of a protective role for PXR, pharmacological activation using St John's Wort extract (containing the potent PXR activator hyperforin) improved lipid profiles and reduced atherosclerosis in the high-fat fed rabbit [45].…”

Effects of Hypericum perforatum extract on oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity: in vitro evaluations

“…Hypericum perforatum extracts contain several compounds with biological activity such as hypericin, pseudohypericin, flavonoids, oligomeric procyanidins and hyperforin [3]. In traditional medicine, this extract is used in patients with depression disorders [4]; it possesses antiviral and antibacterial activities and was reported to be beneficial in the management of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis [3]. Hypericum perforatum is well tolerated and does not cause major side effects, and it is considered a safe herbal therapeutic agent [5,6].…”