Supplementation of <i>Areca catechu</i> L. Extract Alters Triglyceride Absorption and Cholesterol Metabolism in Rats

Abstract

Areca extracts have already been found to exhibit a strong inhibitory activity on cholesterol absorption in high-cholesterol-fed rats. Accordingly, this study was performed to determine whether Areca extracts also exert an inhibitory activity on triglyceride absorption in triglyceride-fed rats. Male rats were fed a diet containing corn oil (10%, w/w) with or without an Areca nut extract supplement (0.5%, w/w). The supplementation of the Areca extract significantly lowered the absorption of triglyceride and the plasma lipid concentration. The absorbed triglyceride that appeared in the blood after an oral dose of [9,10(n)-³H] triglyceride was significantly lower in the rats supplemented with the Areca nut extract, compared with the control group. The supplementation also significantly lowered the small intestinal pCEase (pancreatic cholesterol esterase) activity by 22.5% compared to the control group. The hepatic and intestinal ACAT (acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase) activities were significantly decreased in the Areca group compared with the control group. Hence, further studies are needed to elucidate the structure and chemical properties of the active compound in the water-soluble Areca extract that lowers cholesterol absorption.

Downregulation of Ches1 and other novel genes in oral cancer cells chronically exposed to areca nut extract

“…Similarly, the androstenedione and testosterone biosynthesis pathways were also significantly affected (p ¼ 3.51 Â 10 À6 ). Previously, Byun et al 17 and Park et al 18 found that areca nut extract inhibits cholesterol and triglyceride absorption in experiments using rat models. From our microarray data, we showed that several lipid metabolism enzymes were upregulated in the areca nut extract sublines, including HMGCS1, which was validated by RT-PCR.…”

Effects of betel nut on cardiovascular risk factors in a rat model

“…The differences appear to be due to the fact that different populations could be using betel nut to varying degrees, therefore, the daily rate of betel nut use would be more important than a mere “use” or “non-use” information [7]. Moreover, some of the studies reporting low serum levels of triglycerides and cholesterol were carried out using extract of betel nut in a rat model rather than a suspension of the powdered nut [24]. However, a couple of large prospective studies in Taiwan have shown a relationship between betel nut chewing and increased risk of CVD [6,7].…”

Effects of different areca nut chewing habits on the gut microbiota of mice: High‐throughput sequencing analysis

“…Areca nut, the seed of the palm plant Areca catechu L, is widely chewed in China, Southeast Asia, Guam, America, and elsewhere. Research has increasingly uncovered a multitude of positive pharmacological effects associated with areca nuts, including anthelmintic, antioxidative, anti‐inflammatory, antiaging, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, hypotensive, antidepressant, and antimicrobial activities (Abbas et al, ; Amudhan & Begum, ; Bhandare, Kshirsagar, Vyawahare, Hadambar, & Thorve, ; Byun, Kim, Jeon, Park, & Choi, ; Chinese Pharmacopoeia Committee, ; Gilani et al, ; Khan et al, ; Lee & Choi, ; Lincy, Asha, & Greeshma, ). However, many domestic and international studies have also shown that the chewing of areca nut can cause oral submucous fibrosis, reproductive and neurological toxicity, an increased risk of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, reduced immune system function, and cardiovascular disease (Chang et al, ; Dutta et al, ; Wu et al .…”