Hypercholesterolemia represents the most essential dangerous factor for cardiovascular diseases, which continue to be a widespread problem worldwide. The current study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of costus (Saussurea lappa) in hypercholesterolemic rats. Five groups (n=7) of male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were randomly allotted as follows: the control group, coconut oil group (coconut oil for 4 weeks + water for other 4 weeks), cholesterol group (450 mg cholesterol powder/kg body weight dissolved in coconut oil for 4 weeks + water for other 4 weeks), costus group (water for 4 weeks + 50 mg costus roots powder/kg body weight suspended in water for other 4 weeks), the cholesterol+costus group (cholesterol for 4 weeks + costus for other 4 weeks). All treatments were given in 0.5 mL by gavage. The hypercholesterolemic rats showed marked dyslipidemia and significant increases in the serum levels of the atherogenic index, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and vascular endothelium growth factor, as well as the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase, in comparison with the other groups. Additionally, hypercholesterolemic rats had significant decreases in the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level and the activities of serum superoxide dismutase and catalase, and impairment in the kidney functions, in comparison with the other groups. Costus administration modulated significantly all the changes in the serum of the hypercholesterolemic rats. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of costus has a potential/effective role in alleviating the biochemical disturbances resulting from hypercholesterolemia. GROUP I GROUP II GROUP III GROUP IV GROUP V TG (MG/DL) 104.8±0.6 d 105.3±0.6 d 131.3±0.4 a 90.1±0.9 e 115.4±0.5 b TC (MG/DL) 70.6±0.6 d 70.8±0.3 d 100.6±0.8 a 68.5±0.8 e 77.9±0.1 b HDL-C (MG/DL) 41.6±0.5 b 40.2±0.2 b 23.3±0.4 e 45.9±0.6 a 39.1±1.3 c LDL-C (MG/DL) 30.0±0.7 d 30.9±0.4 d 51.2±1.1 a 28.3±0.5 e 40.2±1.4 b VLDL-C (MG/DL) 21.2±0.1 c 21.5±0.1 c 27.1±0.1 a 19.3±0.5 d 22.9±0.1 b

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is considered a clinical syndrome, which is a diabetic kidney disease characterized by increasing blood pressure, albuminuria, and chronic kidney disease. The current study aimed to determine the effect of sweetener (Stevia rebaudiana ) on diabetic nephropathy in a diabetic rat model. Four groups (n=7) of male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus): the control group, diabetic control group (induced streptozotocin intraperitoneally), two diabetic rat groups treated with 2 doses of stevia (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) for 4 weeks. Biomarkers of nephropathy were measured in plasma and kidneys at the end of the experiment. The levels of plasma glucose, urea, uric acid, creatinine, renal malondialdehyde (MDA), and caspase-3 significantly increased in diabetic rats and levels of insulin, renal catalase, superoxide dismutase, and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) were significantly decreased. After treating the diabetic rats with natural sweetener (stevia), the kidney and plasma biochemical parameters were improved significantly. These results indicated the major role of stevia in diabetic nephropathy.

Hypercholesterolemia can be defined as the presence of high plasma cholesterol levels, with normal plasma triglycerides, as a consequence of the rise of cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (apoB)-rich lipoproteins, called low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and characterized by very high levels on the blood cholesterol which is a risk factor of cardiovascular health. Medicines which formed from chemical compounds cause serious side effects that cause an imbalance in the body's functions. Therefore, using of natural substances may be an innovative method for the treatment of diseases, as they do not have any side effects on human health. Bee venom can be used as a drug due to its beneficial effects on many disorders, such as neurological, cardiovascular, hematological, musculoskeletal, and dermatological disorders. In the present work, we found that treatment of hypercholesterolemic rats with bee venom (BV) revealed significant increases in Hb, Hct, and RBCs count and showed a significant increase in PaO2, % O2 saturation, O2 carrying capacity. These results suggest that BV can enhance respiratory functions of blood and can be used in respiratory diseases to enhance the respiration and hematological parameters. Also, BV could be used as a prophylactic agent (food protector) to protect us from the harmful effects of cholesterol.

The aging of the skin is considered a cumulative process that is classed as intrinsic or extrinsic. Environmental factors like sun exposure and air pollution are considered the main cause of extrinsic aging. Mainly, intrinsic aging reflects the genetic background and depends on time. Spirulina platensis unicellular blue-green algae have a variety of biological and nutritional activities because of their high level of nutrients. The current study aims to investigate the mechanism by which spirulina extract (SE) may act anti-aging in female albino rats. Animals were received SE only, UV radiation only and both. In addition, two intrinsic groups as control old and old rats received SE. Spirulina extract (20mg/mL) was injected subcutaneously before UVA irradiation (2.16 J/cm2), daily for 7 days. The epidermal thickness and the collagen fibers layer were stained utilizing Hematoxylin and Eosin and Masson. There were improvements in the activities of antioxidants including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH), downregulating in expressions of inflammatory cytokines; Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). As well as the recovery of collagen density, and reducing the production of matrix metalloproteinases were presented. The results found that spirulina extract may delay the signs of skin aging by enhancing collagen production as well as antioxidant activities and inhibiting collagen degradation and inflammation.

Hypercholesterolaemia disorder is characterized by very high level of cholesterol in the blood which is cardiovascular health risk. Chemical compound Medicines have serious side effects that cause an imbalance in the body's functions. Therefore, utilization of natural compounds could be an alternative concept in the treatment of diseases, as they have no side effects on human health. The present work aims to evaluate the physiological effects of royal jelly (RJ) on the hypercholestrolaemic male albino rats. Forty-two male albino rats were divided into six groups. Rats were treated with coconut oil, cholesterol (450 mg/kg b.w of cholesterol dissolved in 0.5 ml coconut oil) for four weeks, RJ treated group (300 mg/kg b.wt) for two weeks, RJ before and after cholesterol treated groups. Serum cholesterol showed significant increased levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and significant decrease in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), antioxidant enzymes, nitric oxide (NO) and vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) compared with those of control and other treated groups. Royal jelly administration reduced the high levels of LDL-C, VLDL-C, TG and TC because of cholesterolaemia. Also, RJ could improve the levels of HDL-C, serum antioxidant enzymes, NO and VEGF. Treatment with RJ before and after cholesterol could help to return serum NO, VEGF levels toward control values and causes significant decrease in LDL-C level and significant increase in HDL-C level compared to control group. In conclusion, RJ ameliorates the harmful effects of cholesterol administration on male albino rats and plays an important role in cardiovascular health protection.